A decrease of ≥2 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination was the best determinant of delirium in elderly patients admitted to hospitalUse of serial Mini-Mental State Examinations to diagnose and monitor delirium in elderly hospital patients.

Fields, Suzanne D MD (commentator)
OKeeffe, ST
Mulkerrin, EC
Nayeem, K
et al,

SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine Stony Brook, New York, USA

O’Keeffe ST, Mulkerrin EC, Nayeem K, et al. Use of serial Mini-Mental State Examinations to diagnose and monitor delirium in elderly hospital patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 2005; 53: 867–70.OKeeffeSTMulkerrinECNayeemKet alUse of serial Mini-Mental State Examinations to diagnose and monitor delirium in elderly hospital patients.J Am Geriatr Soc200553867-70Q In elderly patients admitted to hospital, are serial Mini-Mental State Examinations (MMSEs) accurate for diagnosing delirium?

For correspondence: Dr S O’Keeffe, Galway Regional Hospitals, Galway, Ireland. [email protected]

Source of funding: no external funding .

Evidence Based Medicine 10(5):p 149, October 2005.

Clinical impact ratings Internal medicine ★★★★★★☆ Geriatrics ★★★★★☆☆