[Neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI-Q): A validity study of the Dutch form].
The Neuropsychiatric Inventory is a clinical instrument for assessing behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia. It is based on an interview with the primary caregiver. A brief questionnaire form of the NPI was developed, intended for use in routine clinical practice (NPI-Q). This study evaluates the validity of the NPI-Q Dutch form. The NPI-Q was compared to other questionnaires, i.e. the Revised Memory and Behavioural Problems Checklist (RMBPC), the short form Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE-N), the 15 items Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and the Cognitive Screening Test (CST-20). A data set was used of geriatric outpatients who were referred for neuropsychological assessment (n = 29). Correlations between the NPI-Q and RMBPC Depression- and Disinhibition subscales were relatively high. No relationship was found between the NPI-Q and the RMBPC Memory related behavioral changes subscale, or between the NPI-Q and the IQCODE-N and the CST-20. Informant ratings on the NPI-Q depression-item were related with patient ratings on the GDS-15, especially when patients were relatively mildly cognitive impaired. Caregiver distress was strongly associated with NPI-Q symptom assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
our preliminary results support validity of the NPI-Q Dutch form. It is a practical rating scale for assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and associated caregiver distress.
de Jonghe
J F M
JF
Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, Afdeling Klinisch psychologie (046), Postbus 501, 1800 AM Alkmaar. j.de.jonghe@mca.nl
Kat
M G
MG
Kalisvaart
C J
CJ
Boelaarts
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*