COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF DEMENTIA BY CAMDEX IN ELDERLY GENERAL-HOSPITAL INPATIENTS

One hundred and eight patients aged 70 and older randomly chosen from those admitted to the departments of medicine and surgery in a univers ity hospital were examined for dementia by the Cambridge Mental Disord ers of the Elderly Examination (CAMDEX) and DSM-III-R criteria. Cognit ive impairment was assessed by the cognitive section of the CAMDEX (CA MCOG) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Fifty-one per cent of the sample met DSM-III-R criteria for at least one psychiatric dis order, dementia being the most common (35%). The cut-off point of CAMC OG (60/61) was more effective (100% sensitivity and 97% specificity) t han the cut-off point of MMSE (21/22) (95% sensitivity and 86% specifi city) in detecting dementia, although the optimal cut-off point of CAM COG for our sample was lower than that suggested in previous studies.