[Assessment of behavioural and psychotic symptoms and functional status of nursing home residents with a diagnosis of dementia].
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine the relationship between behavioural and psychopathological disturbance and the functional status of dementia patients.


METHODS
The link between results of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version (NPI-NH) and Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES) with cognitive impairment in 23 demented and 30 non-impaired nursing home residents was examined. Diagnosis of dementia was based on ICD-10 criteria.


RESULTS
Results showed that behavioural and psychotic symptoms were most often found in cognitively impaired residents. Several symptoms of behavioural pathology showed associations with lower cognitive status, including delusions, apathy and aberrant motor behaviour. But dementia was not associated with more aggressive behaviours.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of NPI-NH were correlated significantly with the MOSES scale in both groups. The results suggest that some non-cognitive symptoms may be related to the cognitive dysfunction in dementia and behavioural pathology may also have impact on the patient's ability to function.
Bidzan
Leszek
L
Klinika Psychiatrii Rozwojowej, Zaburzeń Psychotycznych i Wieku Podeszlego AM w Gdańsku.
Bidzan
Mariola
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011044:Poland; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index