CAMDEX. A standardised instrument for the diagnosis of mental disorder in the elderly with special reference to the early detection of dementia

Abstract

A new interview schedule for the diagnosis and measurement of dementia in the elderly is described. The schedule named the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination (CAMDEX), consists of three main sections: A structured clinical interview with the patient to obtain systematic information about the present state, past history and family history; a range of objective cognitive tests which constitute a mini-neuropsychological battery; a structured interview with a relative or other informant to obtain independent information about the respondent's present state, past history and family history. The CAMDEX is acceptable to patients, has a high inter-rater reliability and the cognitive section has been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity.