Effects of education and culture on the validity of the Geriatric Mental State and its AGECAT algorithm.
Date
2004Author
Prince, Martin J.
Acosta, Daisy
Chiu, Helen
Copeland, John
Dewey, Michael E.
Scazufca, Marcia
Varghese, Mathew
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The Geriatric Mental State (GMS) is the most widely used psychiatric research assessment for older persons. Evidence for validity comes from the developed world. Aims: To assess the validity of GMS/AGECATorganicity and depression diagnoses in 26 centres in India, China, Latin America and Africa. Method: We 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). Results: For dementia diagnosis GMS/AGECAT performed well in many centrers 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 AGEGAT algorithm. For depression, sensitivity was high. The EURO-D depression scale, derived from GMS items using European data, has a similar factor structure America, India and, to a lesser extent China. Conclusions: Valid, comprehensive mental status assessment across cultures seems achievable in principle.
Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: