Cognitive rating scales: A comparison of the mini‐mental state examination and the middlesex elderly assessment of mental state

Abstract

SUMMARYThe MEAMS (Middlesex Elderly Assessment of Mental State) is a relatively new scale specifically developed to detect intellectual impairment secondary to organic brain dysfunction in the elderly. In this study the MEAMS was compared with the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), a widely known and commonly used brief cognitive rating scale, in a group of 60 elderly acute psychiatric inpatients. Scores on both scales were highly correlated. However, the MEAMS was shown to be more sensitive in the detection of mild cognitive impairment, and was more sensitive to the presence of focal brain lesions than the MMSE. In the second part of the study, a further 25 inpatients were assessed using both scales by six junior and staff-grade doctors, who then rated the scales according to various criteria. Despite taking slightly longer to administer, the MEAMS was rated superior overall by the medical staff. It is suggested that the MEAMS is a sensitive instrument acceptable to both patients and staff, and is suitable for routine use in an old age psychiatric setting.KEY woms-Cognitive impairment, cognitive assessment, rating scales.

Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Coronary Heart Disease Patients

“…Although the MMSE test is a practical instrument for quick screening and yields a quantitative assessment of the severity of cognitive impairment, it is not a sufficient instrument for a specific diagnosis of conditions with cognitive impairment, such as dementia [29]. For detecting a mild cognitive impairment the MMSE is not sensitive enough either [30], and a person may perform well on the MMSE and yet have cognitive deficits in comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Age, education and social group have a significant effect on the MMSE scores [31].…”

Eye movements and reading in glaucoma: observations on patients with advanced visual field loss

“…The Middlesex Elderly Assessment of Mental State (MEAMS, Pearson, London, UK) is a psychometric screening test designed to detect impairment of cognitive skills in an elderly population [21,22]. Participants also completed a modified form of the Burt Word Reading Test, a standardised reading test designed to measure reading abilities [23].…”

Neuropsychology

“…Also, there is some initial evidence suggesting it can distinguish between (1) individuals with AD and those with multi-infarct dementia (Golding, 1989) and (2) individuals with right versus left hemisphere strokes (Shiel & Wilson, 1992). When used in an elderly psychiatric sample the MEAMS was more sensitive to mild cognitive impairment than the MMSE (Husband & Tarbuck, 1994). Calculations we performed on information presented in the test manual indicate the MEAMS has a sensitivity of 0.91 and a specificity of 0.95 when differentiating patients with depression from those with dementia.…”