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Validation of memorial delirium assessment scale
G Shyamsundar1, G Raghuthaman, Anto P Rajkumar
1Department of Psychiatry, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences 641014, Coimbatore, India.
Journal of Critical Care
|March 31, 2009
Summary
The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) is a reliable and valid tool for diagnosing delirium in Indian critical care units. Training junior residents to use MDAS improves delirium detection, reducing morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Delirium is frequently underdiagnosed in intensive care units (ICUs), leading to adverse patient outcomes.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of delirium is crucial for effective management and improved patient prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability and validity of the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) for delirium diagnosis in Indian critical care settings.
- To establish MDAS as a dependable screening tool for delirium in resource-limited environments.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 120 non-intubated, non-mute patients in medical and cardiac ICUs.
- Delirium screening using MDAS by trained junior residents.
- Reference diagnosis by a consultant psychiatrist based on ICD-10 criteria.
Main Results:
- High interrater (0.92) and test-retest (0.93) reliability for MDAS.
- Excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = .89).
- MDAS demonstrated high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (95.45%) with an optimal threshold score of 10.
Conclusions:
- The MDAS is a reliable and valid instrument for delirium assessment in Indian ICUs.
- Training junior residents to use MDAS is a feasible and effective strategy in resource-poor settings.
- Implementing MDAS can enhance delirium detection rates and improve patient care in critical care environments.
