The Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) has been shown to be a valid instrument
for identifying and grading the severity of delirium in patients admitted
to a general hospital for medical or surgical treatment. However, its
accuracy in identifying delirium among elderly patients admitted to a
psychiatric hospital for evaluation and treatment of psychiatric illness
has not been previously addressed. The DRS was administered to 791 elderly
patients who were consecutively admitted to a psychogeriatric unit; 70 met
DSM-III-R criteria for delirium. A DRS threshold score of > or = 10
correctly identified delirious patients with a sensitivity of 94% and a
specificity of 82%. Both psychosis and cognitive impairment appeared to
falsely elevate the DRS score in this population.Abstract Teaser