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The Geriatric Mental State Examination As a Case-finding Instrument in the Community

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

C. Mcwilliam ,
J. R. M. Copeland ,
M. E. Dewey  and
N. Wood
C. Mcwilliam*
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Liverpool
J. R. M. Copeland
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Director, Institute of Human Ageing, Liverpool
M. E. Dewey
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Liverpool
N. Wood
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Liverpool
*
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Liverpool Hospital, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX
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Abstract

The Geriatric Mental State Examination (GMS), a standardised psychiatric interview, and its computerised diagnostic system, AGECAT, have been applied to a large (1070) sample of subjects aged over 65 in Liverpool. In a split-half study of this sample, diagnostic scales within the GMS and a diagnostic index derived from them were tested for efficacy in cases of organic and early organic illness (mostly various stages of dementia) and depressive illness. Results demonstrated high levels of sensitivity and specificity, and positive predictive values were within the expected range when applied to these disorders, given their low prevalence in the community. The GMS, when used in this way, is a flexible and effective case-finding instrument.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 2 , February 1988 , pp. 205 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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Footnotes

∗

Current address: Department of Psychogeriatric Medicine, Leighton Hospital, Crewe, Cheshire.

References

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