Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Delirium Cognitive Scale

The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Spanish Version of the Delirim Cognitive Scale (DCS). Methods: Patients were recruited from 5 hospitalary centers in Mexico City, from the Social Security system. A DSM III-R diagnosis of delirium, dement ia, schizophrenia and major depression was required. Two independent evalua tors rated the DCS in 10 patients with delirium. All patients were evaluate d with the DCS and the Mini-mental State Examination Test. Results: 22 patients with delirium, 22 with dementia, 25 with schizophrenia and 30 with major depression were included. The DCS showed an interater re liability of 0.72 and an internal consistency of 0.77. Patients with deliri um rated significantly lower (8.2 +/- 2.5) than thos with dementia (28.5 +/ - 5.2), schizophrenia (22.2 +/- 3.1) and major depression (24.6 +/- 2.4) (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the DCS is as valid and reliable as its English counterpart.