The applicability and the inter-rater reliability of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale in an elderly clinical population

Background Psychopathological rating scales are developed and tested on a relatively young population. Their applicability and psychometric performance in the elderly (aged above 60-65 years) are mostly unknown. It is unknown how factors related to ageing or mild cognitive dysfunction influence the applicability and the reliability of these scales. We tested the applicability and the inter-rater reliability of the Dutch version of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) on an elderly (age > 60 years) inpatient population. Methods The applicability and reliability (expressed by differently weighted Kappa coefficients) of the CPRS was assessed by investigating 62 consecutively referred patients in a ward for elderly patients with acute psychiatric problems that were primarily functional in nature. The results are compared with those found in a younger population. Results The applicability and reliability of the CPRS on the elderly can be categorised as sufficient to good and is comparable with results for a younger population. We did not find any specific factors influencing the practicality, or the reliability of the CPRS when applied to an elderly group of people with a mild cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions The CPRS does not loose its clinical relevance with age, as the applicability and the reliability of the CPRS is not influenced by ageing or mild cognitive dysfunction. The CPRS can detect a broad range of symptoms and due to its psychometric properties it is a useful instrument for measuring an elderly or young population. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.