Aggression in individuals newly diagnosed with dementia

Orengo CA, Khan J, Kunik ME, Snow AL, Morgan R, Steele A, Cully JA, Graham DP. Aggression in individuals newly diagnosed with dementia. American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. 2008 Jun 1; 23(3):227-32.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• IIR 01-159 – Causes and Consequences of Aggressive Behavior in Demented Patients
• RCD 05-288 – Mental Health Engagement for Veterans with Congestive Heart Failure

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Abstract:

Aggression is often associated with dementia. In this study, aggression in veterans newly diagnosed with dementia was examined and characterized. Participants were > or = 60 years diagnosed with dementia at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas, from 2001 to 2004. Aggression was defined as a positive caregiver response to 1 or more of 3 probes from the Ryden Aggression Scale, administered during a telephone screen. Of 1276 contacts, 385 (30%) were eligible and agreed to participate; at initial screening, 75 (19.5%) were aggressive (23 [31%] verbally, 9 [12%] physically, 24 [32%] verbally and physically, and 19 [25%] with unspecified aggression). The surprisingly high prevalence of aggression in individuals newly diagnosed with dementia suggests the potential usefulness of early screening for aggression in this population.