This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Power, D. Articles by Coakley, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Power, D. Articles by Coakley, D. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Suitable screening tests for cognitive impairment and depression in the terminally ill- a prospective prevalence study

Department of Family Practice, Creighton University, 601 North 30th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA

Sheila Kelly

Joan Gilsenan

Michael Kearney

Denis O'Mahony

J. Bernard Walsh

Davis Coakley

Although confusional states and depression are common accompaniments of advanced cancer, few objective data are available concerning the prevalence of these clinical states or what methods are most suitable for their accurate detection. We decided that a 10-question Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and a semistructured application of modified DSMIII-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, third edition - revised) criteria for a major depressive illness were the most suitable screening tests for a terminally ill population. Thirty of 87 patients (34%) displayed significant cognitive impairment. The AMTS rating declined with approaching death and also correlated negatively with age. Of 81 patients, 21 (26%) were depressed when screened using DSMIII-R criteria for depression. One-third of patients with impaired AMTS scores also satisfied DSMIII-R criteria for depression. Of cognitively impaired patients, 90% had at least two possible causes for their confused state. We have found that both the AMTS and semistructured interview using DSMIII-R criteria for depression are useful routine screening tests in the terminally ill.

Key Words: cognitive impairment • confusion • depression • mental status schedule • neoplasms • palliative care • terminal care

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 3, 213-218 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/026921639300700308


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Reeve, M Lloyd-Williams, and C Dowrick Revisiting depression in palliative care settings: the need to focus on clinical utility over validity Palliative Medicine, June 1, 2008; 22(4): 383 - 391. [Abstract] [PDF]