Instrument for detection of delirium in general hospitals: Adaptation of the confusion assessment method

Gonzalez, M; De Pablo, J; Fuente, E.; Valdes, M; Peri, JM; Nomdedeu, M; Matrai, S

Abstract

Delirium is a common and severe disorder that is often misdiagnosed. The use of screening instruments is advisable for its early detection and treatment. In this study, the authors present an adaptation of the Confusion Assessment Method in order to improve its psychometric properties. One hundred fifty-three elderly inpatients were assessed in a four-phase procedure. Interrater reliability was high (kappa = 0.89). Sensitivity was 90%, and specificity was 100%; the value for negative predictive accuracy was 97%, and the value for positive predictive accuracy was 100%. The adaptation has convergent agreement with two other mental status tests, the Mini-Mental Status Examination and the Delirium Rating Scale. Our results suggest that the adaptation of the Confusion Assessment Method is sensitive, specific, reliable, and easy to use by clinicians.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000223695500008 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: PSYCHOSOMATICS
Volumen: 45
Número: 5
Editorial: Elsevier Science Inc.
Fecha de publicación: 2004
Página de inicio: 426
Página final: 431
DOI:

10.1176/appi.psy.45.5.426

Notas: ISI