Discriminant validity of a reduced set of Mini‐Mental State Examination items for dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Linear discriminant analysis was used to construct a series of discriminant functions including subsets of demographic variables and Mini-Mental State Examination item responses for a case series and a population sample. A 9-item discriminant function including the variables for time orientation, recall, calculation, copying a figure, age, writing, 3-step command, naming, and race distinguished demented subjects from community controls with 91% sensitivity and 88% specificity. The same discriminant function classified Alzheimer's disease patients and controls with 96% sensitivity and 98% specificity. This discriminant function has been cross-validated as a potential screening instrument for Alzheimer's disease in a community-based sample.

Mini-Mental Status Examination: A short form of MMSE was as accurate as the original MMSE in predicting dementia

“…The variables included in the D-MMSE scale that have also been identified by previous studies as important discriminators of general dementia are orientation to place [11,13,22,49], recall [13,21,22,24,46e48], and copying [22,24,46]. The registration and reading items turned out to have unacceptably low sensitivity in some studies [13,22].…”

An investigation of the components of best nursing practice in the care of acutely ill hospitalized older patients with coincidental dementia: a multi‐method design

“…(1991 ) recommend the adoption of a three‐point classification system: no impairment 24–30, mild impairment 18–23 and severe impairment 0–17. Furthermore Wells et al . (1992 ) recommend that the discriminant validity of the MMSE could be enhanced by differential weighting; however, no conclusive developments could be located.…”

A Scale for Measuring Patient Perceptions of the Quality of End-of-Life Care and Satisfaction with Treatment

“…3,4 Interviews were conducted between 2 and 7 days after the DNR order, in either English or Spanish, and the Spanish language version was verified by back-translation. Patients were excluded if they were less than 18 years of age, clinically lacked decision making capacity, scored less than 12 out of 20 on the reduced set mini-mental score, 5 or screened positive for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method. 6 We also attempted to interview the family member or friend most closely associated with the patient's inpatient care.…”