ABILITY OF THE MINI-MENTAL-STATE-EXAMINATION TO DISCRIMINATE DIAGNOSTIC ENTITIES IN A PSYCHOGERIATRIC POPULATION

The Mini-Metal State Examination (MMSE) is widely used in clinical pra ctice. A standardized MMSE (SMMSE) was used to differentiate those pat ients with dementia or delirium from those with functional psychiatric disorders. Seventy psychogeriatric patients from Royal Park Psychiatr ic Hospital were interviewed. The SMMSE and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) were administered at two time points, 3 weeks ap art. The study found that the SMMSE did differentiate those with demen tia or delirium from those with functional psychiatric disorders. Howe ver, caution should be exercised when interpreting SMMSE results in co mmunity settings.