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Worldwide hunt for clues
- Author:
- INEICHEN Bernard
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 5(1), January 1997, p.28.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The prevalence of dementia varies between different countries. The author reports on findings of very low rates in part of Africa, which if confirmed could hold vital clues for research.
Effects of education and culture on the validity of the Geriatric Mental State and its AGECAT algorithm
- Authors:
- PRINCE Martin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 185(11), November 2004, pp.429-436.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The Geriatric Mental State (GMS) is the most widely used psychiatric research assessment for older persons. Evidence for validity comes from the developed world. The aims was to assess the validity of GMS/AGECAT organicity and depression diagnoses in 26 centres in India, China, Latin America and Africa. The authors studied 2941 persons aged 60 years and over: 742 people with dementia and three groups free of dementia (697 with depression, 719 with high and 783 with low levels of education). Local clinicians diagnosed dementia (DSM–IV) and depression (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score 18). For dementia diagnosis GMS/AGECAT performed well in many centres but educational bias was evident. Specificity was poor in India and sensitivity sub-optimal in Latin America. A predictive algorithm excluding certain orientation items but including interviewer judgements improved upon the AGECAT algorithm. For depression, sensitivity was high. The EURO–D depression scale, derived from GMS items using European data, has a similar factor structure in Latin America, India and, to a lesser extent, China. Valid, comprehensive mental status assessment across cultures seems achievable in principle.