Behavioral Problems in Dementia: A Factor Analysis of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory

TLDR

The study aimed to identify behavioral subsyndromes within the 12‑item Neuropsychiatric Inventory for dementia patients. Using cross‑sectional data from 199 community‑dwelling dementia patients, the authors performed principal component analysis with Varimax rotation. Three behavioral subsyndromes emerged—mood/apathy (≈80% prevalence), psychosis (37%), and hyperactivity (60%)—with anxiety identified as a distinct symptom.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect behavioral subsyndromes of the 12-item Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Cross-sectional data of 199 patients with dementia living in the community were collected. Principal component analysis (with Varimax rotation) was used for factor analysis. Results showed the presence of three behavioral subsyndromes: mood/apathy, psychosis, and hyperactivity. Anxiety was regarded as a separate symptom. The subsyndrome mood/apathy was the most common, occurring in almost 80% of the patients, versus psychosis and hyperactivity, which occurred in 37 and 60% of the patients, respectively.