← All public profiles

OBS: Organic Brain Syndrome Scale

1985

An observer-rated scale from the Lund (Gustafson) group for grading organic brain syndrome / acute confusion in older people, used in Scandinavian delirium research; the linked reference is a systematic review of the scale.

At a glance

Purpose
Contextual, historical or service record
Population
Adult
Time
variable

Format: It is a detailed research assessment instrument for adult use in the setting described in the source study. The stated administration time is variable.

Primary validation papers

0 identified diagnostic-accuracy papers

Other forms of validation are described in the evidence section. What is counted?

Large-scale clinical implementation

Not yet reviewed.

A focused implementation review has not yet been completed for this profile.

Training and instructions

Public training resources have not yet been confirmed in this review. Check the linked developer or original source for instructions.

Start here

Tool and original sources

This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.

Original paper

  • Systematic review and principal sourceBjörkelund KB, Larsson S, Gustafson L, Andersson E. The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) scale: a systematic review. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. 2006;21(3):210-22. doi: 10.1002/gps.1449. PMID: 16440405.

    This review is the principal published source for OBS. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.

    Open PubMed ↗
No eligible DTA study identifiedRelated context
Classification

Classification

Contextual, historical or service recordDetailed phenomenological and/or neuropsychological assessment

A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceNo eligible DTA study identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

;
Sensitivity
;
Specificity

Reference shown is the systematic review of the OBS Scale (co-authored by its originator, Gustafson); the scale itself was introduced by Gustafson et al. at a 1985 congress and is not separately indexed.

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Organic Brain Syndrome Scale
Also known as
OBS
Evidence summary
indirect
Citation
Björkman Björkelund K, Larsson S, Gustafson L, Andersson E. The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) scale: a systematic review. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006;21(3):210-22. PMID 16440405
Download RIS ↗ Download BibTeX ↗

Primary validation studies

Distinct primary publications from the current diagnostic-accuracy audit. Reviews and repeated evaluations within one paper are not counted again. Overlapping cohorts have not all been reconciled. Read the counting rules and limitations.

No eligible diagnostic-accuracy paper is currently included in this audit. This does not mean the tool has never been validated. The source paper and other evidence on this profile may concern severity, reliability or another measurement purpose.

Copyright and reuse
Information checked
2026-07-19

Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.

Base clinical review: 2026-07-29. Instrument description source check: 2026-09-05. Scope and limitations.