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Clinical predictors of aggressive behaviour in Alzheimer's disease
N Gormley1, M R Rizwan, S Lovestone
1Bethlem & Maudsley NHS Trust, London, UK.
Objectives:
To examine the level and clinical correlates of aggressive behaviour in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Method:
Seventy patients with probable AD were rated using validated assessment instruments including the Rating Scale for Aggressive Behaviour in the Elderly (RAGE).
Results:
Thirty-one subjects were rated as at least mildly aggressive during the 3-day period prior to assessment. RAGE scores correlated significantly with delusions and activity disturbance scores. Aggressive behaviour was not associated with age, sex, dementia severity, hallucinations or depression.
Conclusions:
Aggressive behaviour occurs frequently in patients with AD. Our results confirm the findings of previous studies that the presence of delusions increases the risk of aggression in this population.