[Factor analysis and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home in an institutionalized elderly population with psychiatric comorbidity].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of the study was to validate the Italian version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home (NPI-NH). The evaluation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with cognitive impairment and/or a chronic psychiatric disorder, is an essential need in nursing home.


METHODS
The Italian version of the NPI-NH was administered in 53 patients in a nursing home in Northern-Italy.


RESULTS
The internal consistency of the NPI-NH reported a value (α=0.62) according to the literature. The inter-rater reliability was ρ=0.991 and ρ=0.999 for the caregiver distress. There was an almost complete overlap between the assessments of individual items ranging from (ρ) 1 and 0.952. The test-retest reliability was ρ=0.961 and ρ=0.943 for the distress of the caregiver. Factor analysis revealed 4 factors that can explain 62.167% of the total variance: factor 1 hyperactivity, factor 2 mood, factor 3 psychosis and factor 4 withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
The NPI-NH can be used as an instrument for follow-up of patients and as a tool to support the activities of psychiatric referring and research in nursing home because of his demonstrated psychometric validity and its ease of use.
Federico
F
Baranzini
Alessandro
A
Grecchi
Emanuela
E
Berto
Chiara
C
Costantini
Francesca
F
Ceccon
Sara
S
Cazzamalli
Camilla
C
Callegari
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results