AIMTo explore the agreement between the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) within community dwelling older patients attending an old age psychiatry service and to derive and test a conversion formula between the two scales.METHODSProspective study of consecutive patients attending outpatient services. Both tests were administered by the same researcher on the same day in random order.RESULTSThe total sample (n = 135) was randomly divided into two groups. One to derive a conversion rule (n = 70), and a second (n = 65) in which this rule was tested. The agreement (Pearson’s r) of MMSE and MoCA was 0.86 (P < 0.001), and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was 0.57 (95%CI: 0.45-0.66). In the second sample MoCA scores were converted to MMSE scores according to a conversion rule from the first sample which achieved agreement with the original MMSE scores of 0.89 (Pearson’s r, P < 0.001) and CCC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.82-0.92).CONCLUSIONAlthough the two scales overlap considerably, the agreement is modest. The conversion rule derived herein demonstrated promising accuracy and warrants further testing in other populations.

IntroductionBoth MMSE and MoCA are two widely used cognitive screening test. Comparison of the two tests has been done in specific populations (Parkinson) but not in general elderly psychiatric populations. In research, equating methodologies has been used to compare results among studies that use different scales, which measure the same construct.AimsTo explore their level of agreement within a particular clinical setting.Objectives(a) To find MoCA and MMSE agreement. (b) To derive a conversion formula between the two scales and test it in a random population of similar setting.MethodsProspective study of consecutive community dwelling older patients who attend outpatient clinic or day hospital. Both tests were administered from the same researcher the same day in random order.ResultsThe total sample (n = 135) was randomly divided in two. One from where the equating rule derived (n = 70) and a second (n = 65) in which the derived conversion was tested. Agreement of the two scales (Pearson's r) was 0.86 (P < 0.001), and Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) was 0.57 (95% CI 0.45–0.66). In the second sample, we convert the MoCA scores to MMSE scores according to equating rule from the first sample and after we examined the agreement between the converted MMSE scores and the originals. The Pearson's r was 0.89 (n = 65, P < 0.001) and the CCC 0.88 (95% CI 0.82–0.92).ConclusionsAlthough the two scales overlap considerably, the agreement is modest. The conversion rule derived showed promising accuracy in this population but need further testing in other populations.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

IntroductionOutcome measurements in mental health services is beneficial in allowing healthcare providers in determining the effectiveness of their treatment plan. Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) are two well-established instruments to measure patients’ outcome.Aims and objectivesTo measure the correlation of these two scales, and the feasibility of HoNOS.MethodsProspective longitudinal study of psychiatric outpatients attending a clinic in Sligo. Patients were assessed using HoNOS and GAF by trained doctors during the consultation. Feedback from doctors using HoNOS during the research was taken as a measure for feasibility.ResultsTotal of 441 HoNOS and 237 GAF completed on 280 patients (53.2% female, mean age 46.23; SD = 14.89). The correlation between HoNOS and GAF was (r = –0.696, P < 0.001). In reassessment, we found significant reduction in HoNOS score when comparing the first assessment with the second (t = 4.590, df = 110, P < 0.01) and the third (t = 2.876, df = 37, P < 0.01). Using a linear mixed-effects model, it was found that patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia, mood affective disorder, neurotic disorder, personality disorder and younger in age are more likely to improve during the follow-up compared to those with organic mental disorders, alcohol related problems and older age.ConclusionsHoNOS is a feasible scale and can be potentially used as an outcome measurement in the mental health services. Can help in deciding better management plan for patient and improvement of the service. HoNOs can also be used for comparison of outcomes between services in national and international level.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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