Behavioural and psychological signs and symptoms of dementia across cultures: current status and the future.
BACKGROUND
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have been poorly studied in developing countries, in ethnic minority groups in a given country and in cross-national studies.


METHODS
The literature on BPSD from developing countries, ethnic minority groups in a given country and cross-national studies was examined.


RESULTS
There is emerging literature on BPSD from the settings was studied. These studies provide useful preliminary data on the prevalence and correlates of BPSD. Moreover, the data illustrate possible cross-cultural differences in BPSD and their correlates. A number of instruments measuring either individual BPSD within a BPSD domain, measuring features of a BPSD domain or features of a range of BPSD domains have been developed in languages other than English for use in developing countries and ethnic minority groups in a given country.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for methodologically similar and uniform studies of BPSD across countries and ethnic groups in a given country using appropriately validated instruments. It is suggested that a consensus should be reached by researchers on the best instrument(s) to be developed in languages other than English for use in these settings and, in turn, these instruments should be developed using appropriate methodology. This could allow identification of the genetic and environmental aetiology of BPSD and the influence of gene-environment interaction.
Shah
Ajit
A
Psychiatry of Old Age, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK. a.k.shah@ic.ac.uk
Dalvi
Madusudan
M
Thompson
Tade
T
D000368:Aged; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003704:Dementia / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology