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

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.

Low birth weight, preterm birth and small for gestational age association with adult depression: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…42 With respect to the assessment of depression, four studies used a psychiatric interview, 13,15,36,43 three used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 33,35,37 two used the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D), 4,33 and the remaining ten studies used other scales. [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] With respect to the age at assessment of depression, four studies evaluated depression among individuals older than 40 years. 15,19,33,42 …”

Psychiatric disorders in elderly from the Indian sub-continent living in Bradford

“…The community version of the Geriatric Mental State (GMS-A) (McWilliam et al, 1988) has been shown to be a reliable diagnostic instrument. Its Hindi translation was previously carried out by Sharma in 1989.…”

Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment in the Hospitalized Elderly

“…The use of the questionnaire method we employed for screening for dementia has been well evaluated (O'Neill et al, 1988;Clarke et al, 1991;McWilliam et al, 1988). It has been shown to have a sensitivity of up to 100% and a speci®city of 85% when using the cuto point of 23/31 that was decided upon in this study.…”

“…The screening test used was the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Clarke et al, 1991;McWilliam et al, 1988). As shown in Table 1, there is minor adaptation for Ireland.…”