Measuring Delirium severity in older general hospital inpatients without dementia

Author(s): Maletta, G. J., Dysken, M. W., Jilk, K. M., Weldon, D. T., Kuskowski, M., Mach, J. R.

Journal/Book: Amer J Geriatr Psychiatr. 1998; 6: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 296-307.

Abstract: The authors evaluated the validity reliability, and sensitivity to change of the Delirium Severity Scale (DSS), a 10-minute assessment consisting of Forward Digit Span and Similarities. Twenty-two older inpatients with delirium but not dementia and 15 control patients were administered the DSS during hospitalization. Scores were significantly inversely correlated with expert' quantitative ratings of severity at all three three time-points examined. The DSS showed significant improvement over time (P < 0.001) and significant correlation with improvement in expert ratings (P = 0.026). The DSS shows promise as a valid and reliable measure sensitive to changing symptom severity.

Note: Article Bettin KM, Vet Adm Med Ctr, Grecc 11G, 1 Vet Dr, Minneapolis,MN 55417 USA

Keyword(s): MEDICAL PATIENTS; POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM; RATING-SCALE; PREDICTORS; PROGNOSIS; SYMPTOMS; TESTS

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Measuring Delirium severity in older general hospital inpatients without dementia - The Delirium Severity Scale