• U Linstedt, A Berkau, O Meyer, P Kropp, and M Zenz.
• Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Intensiv- und Schmerztherapie, BG Kliniken Bergmannsheil,Ruhr-Universität Bochum. linstedt@anaesthesia.de
• Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2002 Apr 1;37(4):205-8.

ObjectivesDelirium is the most common acute organic psychosis postoperatively, and occurs more frequently in the elderly than anticipated. The abbreviated mental test (AMT) is a widely used cognitive test in Great Britain. The present study assessed the AMT in a German version for diagnosis of postoperative delirium.Methods40 patients (older than 65 years), scheduled for total knee or hip replacement, were tested repeatedly for delirium according to the ICD-10. These patients were investigated with the AMT simultaneously by a second investigator.ResultsDelirium was present in four orthopaedic patients (10 %) and was diagnosed correctly in these patients by the AMT. All but one patient without delirium showed no deterioriation in AMT score.ConclusionAs in Great Britain, the AMT in its German version is useful in diagnosing delirium. We recommend the use of the AMT preoperatively in elderly patients at risk for delirium.

19 keywords...

hide…