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Confusional State Evaluation (CSE): An instrument for measuring severity of delirium in the elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

B. Robertsson ,
I. Karlsson ,
E. Styrud  and
C. G. Gottfries
B. Robertsson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Sweden
I. Karlsson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Sweden
E. Styrud
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Sweden
C. G. Gottfries
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Sweden
*
B. Robertsson, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, S-43180 MölndaI, Sweden
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Abstract

Background

Delirium or confusional state is a common mental disorder in the elderly. To follow changes in symptoms over time and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment of delirium, a reliable and valid instrument for measuring degrees of delirium is essential.

Method

An observer's rating scale with 22 items, the Confusional State Evaluation (CSE), was developed. Scores on 12 of the items were summarised to a “confusion score”. Based on ratings of 7l demented and non-demented elderly patients with delirium, the interrater reliability and validity of the scale was studied.

Results

Agreement between two independent raters was fair to excellent (weighted kappa 0.38–0.93). The correlation between the “consfucsoion score” of the scale and the global rating by a psychogeriatrician was good (r=0.79).

Conclusions

The CSE seems to be a reliable and valid measuring instrument which can be useful in following the course of confusion in elderly patients.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 6 , June 1997 , pp. 565 - 570
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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