The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory in primary care: applicability and psychometric characteristics of the original and short form

• Published in: Revista de psiquiatria clínica 2016-10, Vol.43 (5), p.103-106
• Main Authors: Silva, Laís dos Santos Vinholi e, Oliveira, Glaucia Martins de, Yokomizo, Juliana Emy, Saran, Laura Ferreira, Bottino, Cássio Machado de Campos, Yassuda, Mônica Sanches
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; PSYCHIATRY
• ISSN: 1806-938X; 1806-938X
• DOI: 10.1590/0101-60830000000094

Abstract Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has negative implications for people’s lives, but is often underdiagnosed in the elderly. There is a shortage of instruments to assess geriatric anxiety. Objectives To analyze the applicability and psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and its short form (GAI-SF) within primary care. Methods Fifty-five seniors were classified as non-demented by a multidisciplinary panel. The protocol included the GAI, the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), the Depression Scale D-10, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Bayer Scale for Activities of Daily Living (B-ADL) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). A sub-sample also completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results The GAI and GAI-SF showed good internal consistency (0.89; 0.62, respectively) and test-retest stability (0.58, 0.97). The GAI and GAI-SF correlated significantly with the SRQ-20 (0.74, 0.55) and BAI (0.75, 0.58). Discussion The psychometric characteristics of the Brazilian versions of the GAI and GAI-SF suggest these instruments are suitable for application in the Brazilian elderly population within the primary care setting.