[Aggressive behaviour in dementia. RAGE scale, validation of the version in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Aggressive behaviours are frequent in the different phases of dementia s evolution. These not only constitute a major problem for the families and the caring staff, but cause fatigue and bur out among them. As these behaviours cannot be predicted or understood, the carers experience very complex and anguishing situations. To avoid subjective factors, Patel and Hope designed and validated a scale named RAGE that can be easily used. OBJECTIVE. Adaptation and validation of the RAGE Scale into Spanish.

Patients and methods: The scale has been translated, and then retrotranslated to guarantee the semantic equivalence. Afterwards it has been tested on a group of 60 patients (n= 60). All these patients followed the dementia criteria in DSM-IV and their behaviours were considered as relevantly aggressive by their carers.

Results: The total score reliability got an r= 0.93 Spearman coefficient. The internal consistency was determined by Cronbach s alpha (0.90) and the valiability test-retest, analysed by Cohen s kappa, obtained a range from 0.57 to 0.85.

Conclusions: All these elements show similar data in comparison to the original scale validation and therefore this version can be considered adequate for Spanish speaking patients within the Spanish culture.