Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam
| Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | detect mild cognitive impairment(veterans) |
The Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) Exam is a brief screening assessment used to detect cognitive impairment.[1] It was developed in 2006 at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, in affiliation with a Veterans' Affairs medical center.[2] The test was initially developed using a veteran population, but has since been adopted as a screening tool for any individual displaying signs of mild cognitive impairment. The intended population typically consists of individuals 60 years and above that display any signs of cognitive deficit.[3] Unlike other widely-used cognitive screens, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the SLUMS is free to access and use by all healthcare professionals.[4]
Format[edit]
The SLUMS includes 11 questions and is scored on a scale of 1-30.[5] The SLUMS exam requires the individual being tested to perform various tasks,[3] including the following:
- Attention tasks
- Arithmetic calculations
- Memory tasks involving immediate and delayed recall
- Naming animals
- Digit span
- Drawing a clock
- Recognizing shapes and sizes
- Recalling details from a story
The SLUMS exam tests several cognitive domains,[4] as listed below:
- Verbal memory (13 points)
- Attention/concentration (5 points)
- Visuospatial/constructional abilities (5 points)
- Language skills (4 points)
- Orientation (3 points)
Scoring[edit]
The SLUMS is scored on a scale of 1-30, with higher scores being associated with greater functional ability, and lower scores associated with greater cognitive impairment.[5] Scoring is dependent on an individual's education level, with higher scores expected for individuals who have received a high school education.[3]
For individuals with a high school education:
- A score of 27-30 would be expected for someone with normal cognition
- A score of 21-26 would be expected for someone with mild neurocognitive disorder
- A score of 1-20 would be expected for someone with dementia
For individuals with less than high school education:
- A score of 25-30 would be expected for someone with normal cognition
- A score of 20-24 would be expected for someone with mild neurocognitive disorder
- A score of 1-19 would be expected for someone with dementia
Efficacy[edit]
While there is relatively little research on the reliability and validity of the SLUMS exam, available studies suggest that it exhibits high sensitivity (greater than 95%) and specificity (greater than 95%) in differentiating between individuals with normal cognition from those with dementia.[3] However, the SLUMS has been to found to be less effective at differentiating between normal individuals from those with mild cognitive impairment.[4]
See also[edit]
- Addenbrooke's cognitive examination
- Mental status examination
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment
- Mini–mental state examination
- Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly
- NIH stroke scale
- Self-administered Gerocognitive Examination
References[edit]
- ^ Cordell, Cyndy B.; Borson, Soo; Boustani, Malaz; Chodosh, Joshua; Reuben, David; Verghese, Joe; Thies, William; Fried, Leslie B.; Medicare Detection of Cognitive Impairment Workgroup (March 2013). "Alzheimer's Association recommendations for operationalizing the detection of cognitive impairment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit in a primary care setting". Alzheimer's & Dementia. 9 (2): 141–150. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2012.09.011. ISSN 1552-5260. PMID 23265826.
- ^ Tariq, Syed H.; Tumosa, Nina; Chibnall, John T.; Perry, Mitchell H.; Morley, John E. (November 2006). "Comparison of the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination and the Mini-Mental State Examination for Detecting Dementia and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder—A Pilot Study". The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 14 (11): 900–910. doi:10.1097/01.JGP.0000221510.33817.86. PMID 17068312.
- ^ a b c d Kansagara, Devan; Freeman, Michele (2010). A Systematic Evidence Review of the Signs and Symptoms of Dementia and Brief Cognitive Tests Available in VA. VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program Reports. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US). PMID 21155200.
- ^ a b c Spencer, Robert J.; Noyes, Emily T.; Bair, Jessica L.; Ransom, Michael T. (2022-05-27). "Systematic Review of the Psychometric Properties of the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) Examination". Clinical Gerontologist. 45 (3): 454–466. doi:10.1080/07317115.2022.2032523. ISSN 0731-7115. PMID 35107414. S2CID 246473619.
- ^ a b St. Louis University (2006). "VAMC SLUMS Examination" (PDF). St. Louis University. Retrieved 2023-11-29.