[The Behavior Observation Scale for Intramural Psychogeriatrics and clinical diagnosis; a comparison with the BOP (Assessment Elderly Patients) and NOSIE-30].

Using a stepwise discriminant analysis we examined the Dutch observational ward behaviour scale GIP in relation to DSM-III-R classification. The GIP was compared to older rating-scales like the BOP and NOSIE-30 in a psychiatric observation clinic for the elderly. Nurses' observations based on the GIP are highly related to clinical diagnosis. Two hundred and ten patients with a dementia syndrome, other organic mental disorders, schizophrenia or mood disorders are correctly classified in 85.7% of the cases, compared to 74.3% and 72.8% with the BOP and NOSIE-30. GIP subscales were also significantly and exclusively correlated with severity of dementia and depression. However, the original GIP norms, based on observation in a chronic psychiatric population, are inadequate for the description of newly admitted elderly psychiatric patients.