Their average age at admission was 65.7. Thirty-six patients had a diagnosis of chronic psychosis, two with bipolar disorders, one with frontotemportal dementia, two with Korsakoff syndrome.

At admission, 21 (51%) patientsshowed mild cognitive deterioration (score = 18–26), 12 (29%) moderate deterioration (12–17), 6 severe deterioration (0–11), 2 had normal scores (27–30). Over the following years, 28 patients were reassessed:

– 12 (42%) were stable, 7 (25%) had a fluctuating score, 5 (18%) improved;

– 4 (14%) deteriorated over their successive MMS evaluations;

– age, socio-cultural level and psychiatric diagnosis were not associated with change in MMS scores;

– average change between initial and final assessment was +6.0 points for patients with improved score, –7.75 for those showing deterioration;

– 1.28 for those with fluctuating scores, –1.0 for stable patients.

Unstable psychiatric disorders associated with somatic pathologies influenced MMS scores for all patients, particularly for those with MMS deterioration or fluctuation even if this phenomenon could also be observed to a lesser extent in stable patients. By contrast, patients whose MMS scores improved over time were more mentally stable and had no current somatic problems. Multidisciplinary teamwork is important for patients with deteriorating MMS scores.

By illustrating the impact of somatic and psychiatric factors on dementia, the present study underlines the value of multidisciplinary professional care, the role of the family and the importance of long-stay wards.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.