[Differentiation between dementia and functional psychiatric disorders in a geriatric ward of a general psychiatric hospital using the 'Amsterdam Dementia-Screening Test'].
OBJECTIVE
Investigating the discriminative power of the Amsterdam Dementia Screening Test (ADS) in a heterogeneous elderly psychiatric population.


METHODS
Observation clinic for the elderly MFC Duinoord, Psychiatric Centre Vogelenzang, Bennebroek, Holland.


METHODS
Retrospective comparison of test results and clinical diagnosis.


METHODS
Patients referred for neuropsychological evaluation in 1991-1992 were selected on the basis of DSM-III-R discharge diagnosis 'dementia' or 'psychiatric syndrome'. The ADS, MMSE and SPMSQ scores of 30 male and 74 female patients were compared with diagnostic classification.


RESULTS
The ADS appeared to be highly sensitive and specific. Only 10% of the psychiatric patients were incorrectly classified by the ADS, as against 55% using the MMSE, some MMSE items not differentiating at all. A significant correlation was found in the demented group between ADS and MMSE total scores on the one hand and demographic variables such as age and level of education on the other. The latter appears to be related to better performance on visuo-constructive tasks by more highly educated subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Normative data for the ADS come from an inpatient population. This study shows that the ADS discriminates well in a mixed in/outpatient group with dementia syndromes or psychiatric disorders. The visuo-constructive tasks appear to be related to the level of education.
de Jonghe
J F
JF
Psychiatrisch Centrum Vogelenzang, dienst Onderzoek & Ontwikkeing/MFC Duinoord, Bennebroek.
Krijgsveld
S
S
Staverman
K
K
Lindeboom
J
J
Kat
M G
MG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
Onderscheiden tussen dementie en functioneel psychiatrische stoornissen op een geriatrische afdeling van een algemeen psychiatrisch ziekenhuis met de 'Amsterdamse dementie-screeningstest'.