UB-2: Ultra-Brief 2-item Screener
2015UB-2 is a two-domain, ultra-brief first-step screen derived during work on the 3D-CAM. A positive result requires a more specific follow-up assessment.
Classification
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Tool and original sources
This record describes a method rather than a downloadable bedside form. The main source is linked below.
Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers
- Original paperFick DM, Inouye SK, Guess J, Ngo LH, Jones RN, Saczynski JS, et al. Preliminary development of an ultrabrief two-item bedside test for delirium. Journal of hospital medicine. 2015;10(10):645-50. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2418. PMID: 26369992.
This is the original published source for UB-2. It is the main source for the method, its intended use and the evidence available at publication.
- Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyFochi MML, Suetugo IM, Villar VB, Araújo Filho GM. Clinical performance of an ultra-brief delirium screening tool in hospitalized older adults. BMC geriatrics. 2026;26(1). doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07711-4. PMID: 42265599.
This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated UB-2 in real-world public-hospital setting in a middle-income country against CAM assessment by a second blinded evaluator. It reported sensitivity of 87.1% and specificity of 87.9% in 97 hospitalised adults aged 65 years or older.
At a glance
- Purpose
- Episodic assessment
- Population
- Adult
- Setting
- General / acute hospital
- Time
- <1 min
- Items
- 2
- Score or threshold
- Any error on 'months backwards' or day of week
Format: The instrument records 2 scored items or observations. This site classifies it under episodic assessment and ultra-brief bedside tools. It is intended for adult use in General / acute hospital. The stated administration time is <1 min. The published result is recorded using Any error on 'months backwards' or day of week.
- Strengths: First-step ultra-brief screen; high sensitivity
- Limitations: Low specificity; needs a confirmatory step
Evidence
Reported sensitivity and specificity
Two-item version, n=201.
More evidence and citation details
- Full name
- Ultra-Brief 2-item Screener
- Also known as
- UB-2, months backwards
- Related profiles
- Postoperative 3-item combination, UB-CAM
- Evidence summary
- multi
- Diagnostic-accuracy studies
- 3
- Reference standard
- DSM-IV (expert)
- Citation
- Fick DM, Inouye SK, Guess J, Ngo LH, Jones RN, Saczynski JS, Marcantonio ER Preliminary development of an ultrabrief two-item bedside test for delirium Journal of hospital medicine. 2015;10(10):645-50. PMID 26369992
Copyright and reuse
- Information checked
- 2026-07-19
Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.
Sources checked 2026-07-29. How profiles are prepared.