CONCURRENT VALIDITY OF THE GMS-AGECAT (A3) PACKAGE IN A DANISH NURSING-HOME POPULATION

Aim. To validate the Danish version of the GMS-AGECAT (A3), the Standa rdized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE) and the Geriatric Depress ion Scale-15 (GDS-15) by comparing them to clinical ICD-10 criteria in a Danish nursing home population. Methods. With a participation of 91 %, the study included 100 residents. All residents were interviewed wi th the GMS-AGECAT (A3), SMMSE and GDS-15 by an MD and then blindly dia gnosed by a consultant geriatric psychiatrist. All residents approache d for an interview were included, also those who were not able to comm unicate (the non-accessibles). Results. The prevalence of clinical psy chiatric ICD-10 main diagnoses was 56%. The non-accessibles had signif icantly higher psychiatric morbidity and lower ADL scores (modified Ba rthel ADL index) compared to those who were able to communicate. With the non-accessibles (N = 100) included, the optimal screening and diag nostic cutpoint for the GMS-AGECAT organic diagnoses was 2/3, with 96% sensitivity, 73% specificity, 77% predictive value of a positive test and 95% predictive value of a negative test. The SMMSE and GDS-15 had better screening properties compared to the GMS-AGECAT but only 60% o f the residents were able to complete the SMMSE and 78% were able to c omplete the GDS-15. Conclusion. The Danish version of the GMS-AGECAT h as relevant diagnostic and screening properties for organic disorders in Danish nursing home populations. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.