Clinical predictors of aggressive behaviour in Alzheimer's disease.

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.