title: Assessment of the severity of dementia: validity and reliability of the Chinese (Cantonese) version of the Hierarchic Dementia Scale (CV-HDS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the rapid growth of the older population, early detection of cognitive deficits is crucial in slowing down functional deterioration of the elderly persons.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the validity and reliability of the Chinese (Cantonese) version of the Hierarchic Dementia Scale (CV-HDS) for Chinese older persons in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HDS was translated into Cantonese Chinese. The content and cultural validity were evaluated by six expert panel members. Sixty-two participants with diagnosis of dementia were recruited for evaluation. Inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability, internal consistency and concurrent validity were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CV-HDS demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability were high (alpha=0.89 and alpha=0.94 respectively). High value of Cronbach's alpha (alpha=0.94) demonstrated good internal consistency. The concurrent validity of CV-HDS, through correlation with its scores with that of the Chinese version of Mini Mental Status Examination, was established (ranged from r=0.58 to r=0.78, p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CV-HDS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing severity of cognitive impairment in Cantonese speaking Chinese people with dementia. It facilitates treatment planning to optimize the effects of functional training and rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, North District Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Vickie Wan-kei
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Linda Chiu-wa
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Samuel Yeung-shan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results