The ITEL-MMSE: An Italian telephone version of the mini-mental state examination

Method We compared performance in an Italian telephone version of the Mini- Mental Status Examination (Itel-MMSE) with performance in the standard MMSE administered face to face to 104 inpatients affected by cognitive deficit. Results. Their cognitive ability varied from mildly to severely impaired. T otal scores of the two MMSE versions correlated strongly for all patients ( r = 0.85) and for very mildly (r = 0.77) mildly (r = 0.79), and moderately (r = 0.72) demented. A weak but statistically significant correlation was o bserved for severely demented patients (r = 0.46). The study establishes th e validity and reliability of the Itel-MMSE as well as between rater and te st-retest reliability. We calculated a regression equation for use in predi cting MR ISE scores from Itel-MMSE scores. Data fit a linear regression mod el.