Factor analysis and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home in a population of institutionalized elderly in psychiatric comorbidity

SUMMARY. Aim. Aim of the study was to validate the Italian version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home (NPI-NH). The evaluation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with cognitive impairment and/or a chronic psychiatric disorder, is an essential need in nursing home. Methods. The Italian version of the NPI-NH was administered in 53 patients in a nursing home in Northern-Italy. Results. The internal consistency of the NPI-NH reported a value (α=0.62) according to the literature. The inter-rater reliability was ρ=0.991 and ρ=0.999 for the caregiver distress. There was an almost complete overlap between the assessments of individual items ranging from (ρ) 1 and 0.952. The test-retest reliability was ρ=0.961 and ρ=0.943 for the distress of the caregiver. Factor analysis revealed 4 factors that can explain 62.167% of the total variance: factor 1 hyperactivity, factor 2 mood, factor 3 psychosis and factor 4 withdrawal. Conclusions. The NPI-NH can be used as an instrument for follow-up of patients and as a tool to support the activities of psychiatric referring and research in nursing home because of his demonstrated psychometric validity and its ease of use.