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.
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.