scholarly journals Anosognosia Is Associated With Greater Caregiver Burden and Poorer Executive Function in Huntington Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58
Author(s):  
P. Wibawa ◽  
R. Zombor ◽  
M. Dragovic ◽  
B. Hayhow ◽  
J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Huntington Disease ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Disease Rating ◽  
Executive Deficits ◽  
State Examination

Background:Anosognosia, or unawareness of one’s deficits, is estimated to occur in 25% to 50% of Huntington disease (HD). The relationship between anosognosia and increased caregiver burden found in other dementias has not been determined in HD.Methods:Patient–caregiver dyads presenting to a statewide HD clinic were assessed using the Anosognosia Scale and grouped into “anosognosia” and “no anosognosia.” Caregiver burden, measured by Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), demographic data, and Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale, including Mini-Mental State Examination, Stroop, Trail Making, Verbal Fluency, and Symbol Digit Modalities Tests, were compared between groups.Results:Of the 38 patients recruited, 10 (26.3%) met criteria for anosognosia. Patients with anosognosia elicited higher caregiver burden ratings on both the ZBI (mean difference 16.4 [12.1], P < .001) and CBI (16.7 [15.0], P < .005) while also demonstrating poorer executive function. Except for CAG burden score, between-group characteristics did not differ significantly. Stroop Interference predicted both anosognosia and caregiver burden.Conclusions:In HD, anosognosia is associated with greater caregiver burden and executive deficits. Its occurrence should prompt further patient assessment and increased caregiver support.

Exploration of Parkinson’s Disease Symptomatology Subtypes From the Caregiver Perspective: Implications for Caregiver Burden, Depression, and Anxiety

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110491
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Lageman ◽  
Emily K. Donovan ◽  
Teresita Villaseñor ◽  
Paul B. Perrin
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Disease Rating ◽  
Symptom Patterns ◽  
Caregiver Anxiety ◽  
The U.S

Background: While research has demonstrated associations between Parkinson’s disease (PD) severity and caregiver burden and emotional functioning, less is known about the associations between specific PD symptom patterns and caregiver functioning. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to explore symptomatology subtypes in PD from the caregiver perspective in the U.S. and Mexico and to determine whether caregiver burden, depression, or anxiety differed by PD symptomatology subtype. Methods: Two hundred fifty-three caregivers ( M age = 59.9) completed Parts I and II of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), the Zarit Burden Interview, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales. Results: Cluster analysis using domains from the MDS-UPDRS revealed 5 symptomatology subtypes: pain/motor predominant, low symptoms, severe diffuse symptoms, moderate restricted symptoms with speech/oral predominant, and mood predominant. Caregiver burden was greatest for caregivers of individuals in the severe diffuse symptom and moderate restricted symptoms with speech/oral predominant clusters. High caregiver depression and caregiver anxiety were observed in all clusters other than the low symptoms cluster. There were no site by cluster interactions, suggesting that symptom patterns contribute to caregiver functioning in similar ways in the U.S. and Mexico. Conclusions: This data-driven analysis revealed 5 symptomatology subtypes of PD from caregivers’ perspectives and highlighted the need for treatments and interventions based on predominant PD symptom expression. Importance of caregiver support across various symptomatology expressions, and particularly on specialist treatment for predominant speech/oral difficulties was recommended.

scholarly journals Cognitive Reserve in Early Manifest Huntington Disease Patients: Leisure Time Is Associated with Lower Cognitive and Functional Impairment

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Simone Migliore ◽  
Giulia D’Aurizio ◽  
Eugenia Scaricamazza ◽  
Sabrina Maffi ◽  
Consuelo Ceccarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Huntington Disease ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Disease Rating

We focused on Cognitive Reserve (CR) in patients with early Huntington Disease (HD) and investigated whether clinical outcomes might be influenced by lifetime intellectual enrichment over time. CR was evaluated by means of the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq), an internationally validated scale which includes three sections: education, working activity, and leisure time. The clinical HD variables were quantified at three different time points (baseline-t0, 1 year follow up-t1 and 2 years follow up-t2) as per the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS), an internationally standardized and validated scale including motor, cognitive, functional and behavioral assays. Our sample consisted of 75 early manifest patients, withclinical stage scored according to the Total Functional Capacity (TFC) scale. Our correlational analysis highlighted a significant inverse association between CRIq leisure time (CRIq_LA) and longitudinal functional impairment (namely, the differential TFC score between t2 and t0 or ΔTFC) (p < 0.05), and the multidimensional progression of HD as measured by the composite UHDRS (cUHDRS, p < 0.01). CRIq_LA was significantly and positively associated with better cognitive performances at all time points (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that higher is the CRIq_LA, milder is the progression of HD in terms of functional, multidimensional and cognitive outcome.

Effects of Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Patients With Alzheimer Disease and Caregivers’ Depression on Caregiver Burden

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faik Ilik ◽  
Hüseyin Büyükgöl ◽  
Fatih Kayhan ◽  
Devrimsel Harika Ertem ◽  
Timur Ekiz
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Dementia Rating ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
State Examination

Objective: We investigated the effects of inappropriate sexual behaviors (ISBs) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), and of caregivers’ depression, on the caregiver burden. Method: One hundred forty three patients with AD and their caregivers were included in the study. Sixty-five patients without AD who needed care due to their disability and their caregivers were enrolled for the comparison. Depression in caregivers was diagnosed using The Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (SCID-I). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale were used to evaluate the severity of AD. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was used to assess the NPSs of patients. Caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results: Inappropriate sexual behaviors were found in 13 (9.1%) of the AD group. Inappropriate sexual behaviors were more common in moderate or severe AD ( P = .009, χ2 = 9.396). The prevalence of depression (n = 38, 26.6%) was higher in caregivers of AD group with ISBs ( P = .000, χ2 = 24.69). The ZBI scores of caregivers of patients with AD were higher than the comparison group. In addition, the ZBI scores of caregivers of patients with AD were significantly higher in the AD group with ISB, a high total score of NPI, and a low score of MMSE. The caregivers of AD group with depression had higher ZBI scores ( P < .05). Conclusions: The severity of AD, the presence of NPSs in patients, and major depression in caregivers were risk factors for an increased caregiver burden.

Contrasting patterns of deficits in visuospatial memory and executive function in patients with major depression with and without ECT referral

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 983-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tsaltas ◽  
S. Kalogerakou ◽  
V.-M. Papakosta ◽  
D. Kontis ◽  
E. Theochari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Visuospatial Memory ◽  
Cognitive Profiles ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Paired Associates ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Executive Deficits ◽  
State Examination

BackgroundThe pretreatment neuropsychological profile of drug-resistant patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may differ from that of their drug-respondent MDD counterparts. Such differences could help in identifying distinct MDD subtypes, thus offering insights into the neuropathology underlying differential treatment responses.MethodDepressed patients with ECT referral (ECTs), depressed patients with no ECT referral (NECTs) and non-psychiatric Controls (matched groups,n=15) were assessed with memory and executive function tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).ResultsECTs scored significantly lower than NECTs in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE;p=0.01). NECTs performed worse than Controls in the Paired Associates Learning (PAL) task (p<0.03; Control/NECTp<0.01) and the Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM) task (p<0.05; Controls/NECTsp<0.05); ECTs performed between Controls and NECTs, not differing from either. In the Intra/Extradimensional (IED) set-shifting task, ECTs performed worse that Controls and NECTS (IED:p<0.01; Controls/ECTsp<0.01), particularly in the shift phases, which suggests reduced attentional flexibility. In Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), ECTs abandoned the test early more often than Controls and NECTs (H=11,p<0.01) but ECTs who completed SOC performed comparably to the other two groups.ConclusionsA double dissociation emerged from the comparison of cognitive profiles of ECT and NECT patients. ECTs showed executive deficits, particularly in attentional flexibility, but mild deficits in tests of visuospatial memory. NECTs presented the opposite pattern. This suggests predominantly frontostriatal involvement in ECTversustemporal involvement in NECT depressives.

scholarly journals Προσδιορισμός των επιπέδων της α-συνουκλεΐνης στο εγκεφαλονωτιαίο υγρό και το πλάσμα ασθενών με νόσο Parkinson, άνοια της νόσου Parkinson και άνοια με σωμάτια Lewy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Αναστασία Μπουγέα
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Inventory ◽  
Clinical Dementia Rating ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Disease Rating ◽  
State Examination

Θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο: Η νόσος του Πάρκινσον(PD), η άνοια στη νόσο του Πάρκινσον (PDD) και η άνοια με τα σώματα Lewy (DLB) αποτελούν κλινικά σύνδρομα γνωστά ως διαταραχές των σωματίων Lewy (LBD) επειδή έχουντα σωμάτια Lewyως κοινό παθολο-ανατομικό χαρακτηριστικό. Δεδομένου ότι η διάγνωσή τους παραμένει κυρίως κλινική, υπάρχει μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον για τη χρήση ενός ή περισσοτέρων βιοδεικτών για την έγκαιρη και έγκυρη διάγνωση και τη διαφορική διάγνωση μεταξύ αυτών των διαφορετικών μορφών παρκινσονισμού. Η α-συνουκλεΐνη (α-Syn) έχει κερδίσει την προσοχή ως εν δυνάμει βιοδείκτηςγια τις συνουκλεϊνοπάθειες. Ωστόσο,ο προσδιορισμός της ολικής α-Syn στο εγκεφαλονωτιαίο υγρό (ΕΝΥ) με τη μέθοδο ELISA και άλλες παρόμοιες τεχνικές απέδωσε αντικρουόμενα αποτελέσματα. Αντίστοιχες μελέτες της α-Syn στο πλάσμα/ορό έχουν επίσης δώσει αβέβαια αποτελέσματα. Τέτοιες αποκλίσεις έχουν συχνά αποδοθεί σε προ-αναλυτικούς και αναλυτικούς συγχυτικούς παράγοντες (ημερήσια διακύμανση, κεφαλοουραία διαβάθμιση της συγκλεντρωσης εντός του κεντρικού νευρικού συστήματος, το φύλο, την ηλικία και, κυρίως, η επιμόλυνση του ΕΝΥ από αίμα), στις διαφορετικές μεθόδους ELISA και στη μέτρηση διαφορετικών τύπων της α-Syn στο ΕΝΥ και το πλάσμα. Σκοπός: Έτσι, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις αδυναμίες των προηγούμενων ερευνών, η παρούσα διατριβή στοχεύει να ελέγξει για πιθανή διαφορά των επιπέδων της α-Syn στο ΕΝΥ, τον ορό και το πλάσμα ανάμεσα σε ασθενείς με νόσο PD, PDD, DLB και υγιείς μάρτυρες και τη διαγνωστική της αξία χρησιμοποιώντας βέλτιστες δυνατές μεθόδους και αυστηρή τήρηση των προαναλυτικών και αναλυτικών κατευθυντήριων οδηγιών.Μεθοδολογία: Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 77 ασθενείς (30 με PD, 18 με PDD και 29 με DLB) οι οποίοι νοσηλευτηκαν στην Α΄ Νευρολογική κλινική του Αιγινητείου Νοσοκομείου της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Η διάγνωση ετέθη βάσει των πλέον πρόσφατων διαγνωστικών κλινικών κριτηρίων. Σε όλους τους ασθενείς ελήφθη πλήρες ιστορικό και διενεργήθηκε ενδελεχής αντικειμενική νευρολογική εξέταση. Επίσης υποβλήθησαν σε πλήρη κλινικοεργαστηριακό και απεικονιστικό έλεγχο, συμπεριλαμβανομένου τομοσπινθηρογραφήματος βασικών γαγγλίων με 123Ι-ioflupane (SPECT). Επίσης διενεργήθηκε νευροψυχολογικός έλεγχος με τις κάτωθι δοκιμασίες: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), CLOX 1-2, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI),Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorder in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP) και Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Η κινητική αναπηρία των παρκινσονικών ασθενών αξιολογήθηκε με βάση την κλίμακα Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS Ι-ΙV), η σταδιοποίησή τους με τις κλίμακες των Hoehn και Yahrκαι των Schwab και England. Η ομάδα ελέγχου αποτελείται από 30 υγιή άτομα χωρίς ιστορικό νευρολογικής ή ψυχιατρικής νόσου και φυσιολογική βαθμολογία στις ανωτέρω δοκιμασίες και κλίμακες. Όλοι οι συμμετέχοντες υποβλήθηκαν σε οσφυϊκή παρακέντηση μεταξύ 9-12 π.μ. μετά από ολονύκτια νηστεία. Δείγματα ΕΝΥ και πλάσματος/ ορού ελήφθησαν σε σωληνάρια από πολυπροπυλένιο, φυγοκεντρήθηκαν σε 2000xg για 10 λεπτά και αποθηκεύτηκαν στους -80 ° C μέχρι την ανάλυση. Δείγματα ΕΝΥ με περισσότερα από 50 ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια απορρίφθηκαν. Αποτελέσματα: Η ηλικία κατά την έναρξη της νόσου ήταν μεγαλύτερη στους ασθενείς με DLB και οι βαθμολογίες MMSE ήταν υψηλότερες σε ασθενείς με PD. Μεγαλύτερες μέσες τιμές UPDRS-III καταγράφηκαν στους PDD και χαμηλότερες σε ασθενείς με PD. Μετά τη διόρθωση του Bonferroni διαπιστώθηκαν σημαντικά χαμηλότερες τιμές του Αβ42 σε ασθενείς με DLB σε σύγκριση με μάρτυρες (p = 0,002), ασθενείς με PD (p <0,001) και ασθενείς με PDD (p = 0,021). Επιπλέον, ηΤΡ-181 είχε σημαντικά χαμηλότερες τιμές σε ασθενείς με PD σε σύγκριση με ασθενείς με DLB (p = 0,028). Μεγαλύτερες τιμές α-Syn στο ΕΝΥ βρέθηκαν σε ασθενείς με DLB σε σύγκριση με τους μάρτυρες (p <0,001), ασθενείς με PD (p <0,001) και με PDD (p <0,001). Η ομάδα έλεγχου είχε σημαντικά χαμηλότερες τιμές α-Syn ορού σε σύγκριση με τους ασθενείς με PD (p <0,001), με PDD (p <0,001) και με DLB (p <0,001). Επιπλέον, οι ασθενείς με PDD είχαν σημαντικά υψηλότερες τιμές του πλάσματος α-Syn σε σύγκριση με τους μάρτυρες (p= 0,023). Ανεξαρτήτως ομάδας ασθενών, τα επίπεδα της α-Syn στο ΕΝΥ συσχετίζονταν σημαντικά με την Aβ42, ενώ τα επίπεδα της α-Syn στο πλάσμα συσχετίζονταν με την Τp-181. Αφαιρώντας τους 7 ασθενείς με DLB με προφιλ ΕΝΥ παθολογίας τύπου Alzheimer (Τt≥ 376, Aβ42≤580 and ΤP-181≥ 62.5 pg/ml) ανεύρεθηκαν σημαντικά υψηλότερες τιμές για την α-Syn ορού και πλάσματος αλλά οριακά για την πρωτεϊνη ΤP-181 στην ομάδα των LBDs συγκριτικά με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Η ανάλυση ROC έδειξε ότι οι α-Syn και Αβ42 στο ΕΝΥ είχαν την καλύτερη διακριτική ικανότητα μεταξύ PD και DLB. Επιπλέον, η διακριτική ικανότητα μεταξύ PDD και DLB ήταν παρόμοια για τις α-Syn και Αβ42 στο ΕΝΥ. Η α-Syn στον ορό έδειξε την καλύτερη διακριτική ικανότητα μεταξύ των PD και μαρτύρων ή μεταξύ PDD και μαρτύρων. Προέκυψαν τέλος οριακές συσχετίσεις μεταξύ βιοδεικτών της α-Syn και της Τp-181 και συγκεκριμένων νευροψυχολογικών/συμπεριφορικών κλιμάκων. Συμπεράσματα: Η α-Syn και η Αβ42 στο ΕΝΥ και τον ορο θα μπορούσαν να θεωρηθουν εν δυναμει βιοδεικτες για την διαφοροδιαγνωση των ασθενών στο φάσμα της LBD αφού έδειξαν την καλύτερη διακριτική ικανότητα μεταξύ των ομάδων PD- PDD και DLB. Εφ’ όσον επιβεβαιωθούν τα αποτελέσματα, η α-Syn του ορού, και, σε μικρότερο βαθμό, του πλάσματος, θα μπορούσαν να θεωρηθούν βιοδείκτες διάγνωσης των LBDs, καθώς εμφανίζουν υψηλότερες τιμές σε σχέση με άτομα ελέγχου.

Assessment of Behavioral and Affective Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease

1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian B. Patterson ◽  
Audrey H. Schnell ◽  
Richard J. Martin ◽  
Mario F. Mendez ◽  
Kathleen A. Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Patient Interviews ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Disease Rating ◽  
State Examination

Noncognitive behavioral symptoms occurring during the prior week were studied in 34 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and 21 spousal control subjects via caregiver and patient interviews using the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Delusional or paranoid features were reported in 13 subjects (38%) and hallucinations in six (18%); patients with these psychoticlike symptoms had lower scores on the Folstein's Mini-Mental State Examination. Other behavioral symptoms reported in AD patients included anxiety (50%) and activity disturbances (44%). Six AD subjects (18%) and two controls (10%) showed mild to moderate symptoms of depression ; AD subjects were more likely than controls to show behavioral signs and symptoms of depression, but the two groups did not differ in terms of mood-related, cyclical, or physical signs and symptoms. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1990;3:21-30).

scholarly journals Relationship between Postural Deformities and Frontal Function in Parkinson’s Disease

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoko Ninomiya ◽  
Akihiko Morita ◽  
Hiroko Teramoto ◽  
Takayoshi Akimoto ◽  
Hiroshi Shiota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Executive Dysfunction ◽  
Scale Item ◽  
Disease Rating ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Postural Deformity

Postural deformities and executive dysfunction (ED) are common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, the relationship between postural deformities and ED in patients with PD remains unclear. This study assessed the relationship between postural deformities and ED in patients with PD. Sixty-five patients with sporadic PD were assessed for the severity of postural deformities and executive function. The severity of postural deformities was scored using the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale item 28 score: no postural deformity (0), mild postural deformities (1), or severe postural deformities (2–4). Executive function was assessed using the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) and an age-controlled standardized BADS score <70 was defined as ED. Age-controlled standardized BADS scores were compared across the three groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Relationship between ED and the severity of postural deformities was assessed using the Mann-WhitneyUtest. Age-controlled standardized BADS score significantly differed among the three groupsP=0.005. ED was significantly related to the severity of postural deformitiesP=0.0005. The severity of postural deformities was associated with a lower age-controlled standardized BADS score and ED, and these findings suggest that postural deformities were associated with frontal dysfunction in patients with PD.

scholarly journals Factors related to Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Parkinson’s disease in Mumbai, India

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagruti Wandrekar ◽  
Nicole D'Souza ◽  
Dr. Maria Barretto
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mini Mental Status Examination ◽  
Disease Rating ◽  
Mental Status Examination ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Updrs Part

This study examined the relationship of caregiver burden with various patient and caregiver variables. 50 individuals with Parkinson’s Disease were administered the Movement Disorder Society’s Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr’s Scale (HY), Mini Mental Status examination (MMSE), and their caregivers were administered the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Kruskal Wallis ANOVAs and Mann Whitney U tests showed that caregivers suffering from ill health (Ux=402, p= 0.03) and the patients’ MDS-UPDRS scores significantly affected caregiver burden. Simultaneous multiple regression analysis showed that MDS-UPDRS Part I,II and III were significant predictors of burden (R2= 0.72, p<0.0001) of which the motor examination emerged as the most significant predictor of burden.

Validity of the Elderly Behavior Assessment for Relatives (EBAR)

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Pezzuti ◽  
Caterina Laicardi ◽  
Marco Lauriola
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Behavior Assessment ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Behavior Rating Scale ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
State Examination

Summary: An Elderly Behavior Assessment for Relatives (EBAR), updating the GERRI ( Schwartz, 1983 ), was administered to relatives (or significant others) of 349 elderly persons, from 60 to over 80 years of age, living at home, in good health and without cognitive impairment. A trained psychologist administered subjects the Life Satisfaction for Elderly Scale (LSES), the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and personally answered to an overall elderly behavior rating scale (RA). EBAR items were first examined. The more attractive and less discriminative statements were excluded. A principal components analysis was carried out on the remaining EBAR items. Three factors were extracted. After varimax rotation they were tentatively labeled: Everyday Cognitive Functioning, Depression, and Hostility. Factor-driven EBAR subscales were designed, taking into account simpler items in the factor matrix. Results provide evidence for EBAR construct validity. Everyday Cognitive Functioning is connected to the IADL and the RA scores; Depression is very highly related to the LSES; Hostility is weakly related to RA, IADL, and MMSE, indicating that the scale needs further investigation.

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