Aggressive behaviour in the Chinese elderly--validation of the Chinese version of the rating scale for aggressive behaviour in the elderly (RAGE) in hospital and nursing home settings.
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to examine the validity of the Chinese version of the Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly (RAGE) in Hong Kong.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study comparing the pattern of aggressive behaviour among residents of different elderly institutions.


METHODS
A nursing home and a psychogeriatric inpatient unit.


METHODS
Psychogeriatric inpatients and nursing home residents. Thirty subjects participated in the validation study of the Chinese version of the RAGE (CRAGE). Eighty-eight subjects were assessed by the CRAGE for pattern of aggressive behaviour.


METHODS
The CRAGE and the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE).


RESULTS
The CRAGE showed satisfactory validity and reliability measures. Aggressive episodes were found in 57% of the subjects, mostly mild in nature. No significant difference was found in the CRAGE total scores in different institutions and across diagnoses. Hospital and schizophrenic patients had significantly higher ratings in overall aggressiveness. Demented subjects had higher CRAGE ratings with CMMSE scores from 11 to 15.


CONCLUSIONS
CRAGE is a valid instrument for use in the Chinese elderly. Although there is no significant difference in total aggressive episodes among different elderly institutions, chronic psychiatric patients were more frequently regarded as aggressive.
Lam
L C
LC
Department of Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.
Chui
H F
HF
NG
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000145:classification; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications