The Clinical Applications of Mini-Mental State Examination in Geropsychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

Objective:

This study investigated the association between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and diagnosis, computerized tomographic scans or electroencephalogram findings in geropsychiatric inpatients (age 65).

Method:

We analyzed the MMSE records of patients sixty-five and older who had been hospitalized in our psychiatric ward during a nine-year period. Case data were collected by review of chart records.

Results:

In these patients, MMSE scores were significantly different among the seven diagnostic groups included. Demented patients had the lowest MMSE scores. Patients who had abnormal findings on computerized tomographic scans or electroencephalogram had lower MMSE than patients with normal findings.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that the MMSE is a useful screening instrument for organicity in the geropsychiatric inpatients. However, because of the lower average MMSE score in geropsychiatric inpatients, the optimal cut-off point of MMSE for dementia should be lower than those used in other populations.