The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Primary Article

Recognition of Cognitive Impairment in Primary Care Outpatients

Authors: THOMAS J. GOLDSCHMIDT MD, ROBERT MALLIN MD, CHARLES N. STILL MD

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe evaluated 100 primary care outpatients for signs of cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The 23 subjects scoring abnormal values (less than 24/30) were found to be cognitively impaired. Seventeen had previously undetected cognitive impairment, while six had prior diagnoses consistent with cognitive impairment. Independent psychiatric evaluation identified these 23 outpatients as cognitively impaired, confirming the MMSE as a reliable, rapid instrument for cognitive assessment.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References