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Symptoms Scale (symptom + scale)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	83%
Psychology	16%

Distribution within Medical Sciences

Psychiatry	24%
Neurology	19%
Nursing General	12%
8 Other Subdomains	45%

Kinds of Symptoms Scale

negative symptom scale

Selected Abstracts

Amisulpride: a review of its efficacyin schizophrenia

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 400 2000
H. J. Möller
Objective: To assess the efficacy of the new atypical antipsychotic drug, amisulpride. Method: Studies comparing the efficacy of amisulpride with that of haloperidol and risperidone, respectively, are reviewed. Outcome measures were Clinical Global Impression, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Positive And Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores. Results: Amisulpride was at least as effective as haloperidol and risperidone in the improvement of positive symptoms, and significantly more efficacious than haloperidol in reducing PANSS negative subscores (P=0.038) in patients with acute exacerbations. Amisulpride demonstrated a greater improvement in BPRS total scores (P<0.05) and PANSS negative subscores (P=0.0001) than haloperidol after 12 months of treatment in chronic schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbations. Conclusion: Amisulpride can thus be considered for use as first-line treatment of acute and chronic schizophrenia. [source]

Progression of dysautonomia in multiple system atrophy: a prospective study of self-perceived impairment

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2007
M. Köllensperger
To assess severity and progression of self-perceived dysautonomia and their impact on health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL) in multiple system atrophy (MSA), twenty-seven patients were recruited by the European MSA Study Group (EMSA-SG). At baseline, all patients completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale (COMPASS) and the 36 item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and they were assessed using the 3-point global disease severity scale (SS-3) and the Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS). After 6 months follow-up, the self completed COMPASS Change Scale (CCS), the SF-36, SS-3, and UMSARS were obtained. MSA patients showed marked self-perceived dysautonomia at baseline visit and pronounced worsening of dysautonomia severity on the CCS at follow-up. Severity and progression of dysautonomia did not correlate with age, disease duration, motor impairment and overall disease severity at baseline. There were no significant differences between genders and motor subtypes. Baseline COMPASS scores were, however, inversely correlated with SF-36 scores. Progression of self-perceived dysautonomia did not correlate with global disease progression. Hr-QoL scores were stable during follow-up. This is the first study to investigate self-perceived dysautonomia severity in MSA and its evolution over time. Our data suggest that dysautonomia should be recognized as a key target for therapeutic intervention in MSA. [source]

Effect of antipsychotic replacement with quetiapine on the symptoms and quality of life of schizophrenic patients with extrapyramidal symptoms

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 7 2006
Takahide Taniguchi
Abstract Replacement of antipsychotic drugs with quetiapine (QTP) was tried in a naturalistic setting in chronic schizophrenic patients who still showed moderate psychiatric symptoms and either showed extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or took anti-parkinson drugs for the EPS. QTP was added on and gradually increased while the previous drugs were tapered and discontinued whenever possible. Clinical symptoms, objective and subjective QOL, and EPS were measured before and 6 months after QTP addition, using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS) and Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptom Scale (DIEPSS), respectively. Twenty-one patients completed the trial and received the assessment. It was found that replacement with QTP-improved clinical symptoms, objective and subjective QOL and EPS. This improvement was equally observed in not only patients who switched to QTP monotherapy (n,=,11) but also patients who took QTP together with reduced small doses (4.4,±,4.3,mg/day) of previous drugs (n,=,11). The results suggest that replacement with QTP improves symptoms as well as objective and subjective QOL in a subgroup of schizophrenia. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The relationship between history of violent and criminal behavior and recognition of facial expression of emotions in men with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2006
Elisabeth M. Weiss
Abstract Social psychological research underscores the relation between aggression and emotion. Specifically, regulating negative affect requires the ability to appraise restraint-producing cues, such as facial signs of anger, fear and other emotions. Individuals diagnosed with major mental disorders are more likely to have engaged in violent behavior than mentally healthy members of the same communities. We examined whether violent and criminal behavior in men with schizophrenia is related to emotion recognition abilities. Forty-one men with schizophrenia underwent a computerized emotion discrimination test presenting mild and extreme intensities of happy, sad, angry, fearful and neutral faces, balanced for gender and ethnicity. History of violence was assessed by the Life History of Aggression Scale and official records of arrests. Psychopathology was rated using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. Criminal behavior was associated with poor emotion recognition, especially for fearful and angry facial expressions. History of aggression was also associated with more severe positive symptoms and less severe negative symptoms. These findings suggest that misinterpretation of social cues such as angry and fearful expression may lead to a failure in socialization and adaptive behavior in response to emotional situation, which may result in a higher number of criminal arrests. Aggr. Behav. 32:1,8, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

The measurement of psychotic acuity by nursing staff

JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2009
C. THEODORIDOU bsc(hons) msc
Accurate evaluation of patients' psychotic state is essential to decrease psychotic symptoms and protect the patient and others. The aim of this paper is to conduct a literature review in order to access the utility, reliability and validity of current rating scales that are purported to measure psychotic acuity of inpatient population. A search of a number of electronic databases was undertaken to retrieve potential articles that focus on the measurement of acute psychosis. We identified some conceptual and theoretical problems when using a scale that is monitoring the progress of discharge and assesses the outcome of treatments. The findings revealed a difficulty in finding a commonly agreed definition of acute psychosis and a problem of obtaining frequent measures, and the frequency of measurement and fluctuation in psychosis. The most dominant scales in assessing psychosis were reviewed: the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. Several issues related to the scales' inter-rater reliability and construct validity remain unexplored. None of these scales addressed the conceptual and theoretical problems that we identified. A new scale that will measure acuity of symptoms in inpatient settings needs to be created. [source]

Effects of posttraumatic stress and acculturation on marital functioning in Bosnian refugee couples

JOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 2 2000
Jelena Spasojevi
Abstract Forty Bosnian refugee couples living in the United States completed a translated version of the PTSD Symptom Scale,Self Report, the Behavioral Acculturation Scale, the Marital Satisfaction Inventory,Revised, and a demographic questionnaire. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology was the best predictor of marital functioning and was related negatively to acculturation. After controlling for PTSD, acculturation did not predict marital functioning. Wives' marital satisfaction was best predicted by husbands' PTSD, husbands' acculturation, and their own PTSD. Husbands' marital satisfaction was not predicted significantly by any of these variables. These findings suggest several implications for mental health professionals dealing with refugees and other traumatized populations. [source]

Health-related quality of life in multiple system atrophy

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 6 2006
Anette Schrag MD
Abstract Although multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to progressive disability and decreased life expectancy, little is known about patients' own evaluation of their illness and factors associated with poor health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL). We, therefore, assessed Hr-QoL and its determinants in MSA. The following scales were applied to 115 patients in the European MSA-Study Group (EMSA-SG) Natural History Study: Medical Outcome Study Short Form (SF-36), EQ-5D, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mini-Mental state examination (MMSE), Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS), Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) Parkinson's disease staging scale, Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale (COMPASS), and Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS). Forty-six percent of patients had moderate to severe depression (BDI , 17); Hr-QoL scores on the SF-36 and EQ-5D were significantly impaired. Pain, the only domain with similar scores in MSA and published PD patients, was reported more frequently in patients with MSA-P (predominantly parkinsonian motor subtype) than MSA-C (predominantly cerebellar motor subtype; 76% vs. 50%; P = 0.005). Hr-QoL scores correlated most strongly with UMSARS motor, COMPASS, and BDI scores but not with MMSE scores, age at onset, or disease duration. The COMPASS and UMSARS activities of daily living scores were moderate-to-strong predictors for the SF-36 physical summary score and the BDI and UMSARS motor scores for the SF-36 mental summary score. This report is the first study to show that Hr-QoL is significantly impaired in MSA. Although not all possible factors related to impaired Hr-QoL in MSA could be assessed, autonomic dysfunction, motor impairment, and depression were most closely associated with poor Hr-QoL, and therapeutic management, therefore, should concentrate upon these aspects of the disease. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source]

Prolactin, Subjective Well-Being and Sexual Dysfunction: An Open Label Observational Study Comparing Quetiapine with Risperidone

THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2008
Jens Westheide PhD
ABSTRACT Introduction., Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect of antipsychotic treatment. Increased prolactin levels are believed to be responsible for this sexual impairment despite contradictory results. Aim., The primary objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between sexual dysfunction, subjective well-being and prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia treated either with risperidone or quetiapine. The secondary objective was to explore the relationship between testosterone and the severity of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia in male patients. Methods., In a 4-week nonrandomized open label observational study, 102 inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited. Sexual functioning, subjective well-being and endocrinological parameters were assessed as well as psychopathological characteristics. Main Outcome Measures., Two self-rating questionnaires concerned with sexual functioning ("Essener Fragebogen zur Sexualität") and Subjective Well-Being Under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale (SWN) were completed by the patients. Plasma levels of prolactin in male and female patients were measured. Furthermore, in male patients testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was applied. Results., After 4 weeks, patients treated with quetiapine reported less severe sexual impairment, as well as lower PANSS negative and general score compared with patients treated with risperidone. Additionally, emotional regulation as measured with the SWN was higher in patients treated with quetiapine. Risperidone was significantly associated with elevated prolactin levels. Prolactin levels were not correlated either with sexual dysfunction or PANSS. However, in the group of patients treated risperidone, sexual impairment was significantly associated with the SWN subscale emotional regulation. Conclusions., Increased prolactin levels do not seem to be decisive for antipsychotic induced sexual dysfunction. Improvement of severity of illness and regaining the ability to regulate one's own emotion have positive influence on sexual functioning. Westheide J, Cvetanovska G, Albrecht C, Bliesener N, Cooper-Mahkorn D, Creutz C, Hornung W-P, Klingmüller D, Lemke MR, Maier W, Schubert M, Sträter B, and Kühn K-U. Prolactin, subjective well-being and sexual dysfunction: An open label observational study comparing Quetiapine with Risperidone. J Sex Med **;**:**,**. [source]

Hypogonadism-related symptoms: development and evaluation of an empirically derived self-rating instrument (HRS ,Hypogonadism Related Symptom Scale')

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2009
J. Wiltink
Summary While self-report screening instruments are highly sensitive to hypogonadism in the ageing male, they have lacked specificity as evidenced by low or absent correlations with testosterone. The purpose of this paper was to develop an economical and specific screening instrument for identifying hypogonadal ageing men. Based on a comprehensive study of physical, somatoform and affective complaints, sexual behaviour and function and hormonal parameters of 263 outpatients aged 40 years and above (M = 56.2; 40,84 years) recruited from six andrological outpatient departments in Germany, we identified those items correlating significantly with testosterone. By factor analyses, five factors were identified: ,reduced activity', ,dissatisfaction with sexual function', ,negative self-concept of physical fitness', ,reduced sexual desire' and ,hot flushes'. The corresponding scales were reliable and only moderately inter-correlated. Consistent correlations were found with the level of testosterone, ageing male scales (Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male, Aging Male Survey), specific affective, somatoform and sexual functioning scales and potential determinants of low testosterone (body mass index, physical inactivity, etc.). While further validation is needed, the new Hypogonadism Related Symptoms Scale appears to be a promising hypogonadism screening tool. [source]

The Patient Health Questionnaire 12 Somatic Symptom scale as a predictor of symptom severity and consulting behaviour in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and symptomatic diverticular disease

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2010
R. C. Spiller
Summary Background, Anxiety, depression and nongastrointestinal symptoms are often prominent in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but their relative value in patient management has not been quantitatively assessed. We modified the Patient Health Questionnaire 15 (PHQ-15) by excluding three gastrointestinal items to create the PHQ-12 Somatic Symptom (PHQ-12 SS) scale. Aims, To compare the value of the PHQ-12 SS scale with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale in predicting symptoms and patient behaviour in IBS and diverticular disease. Methods, We compared 151 healthy volunteers (HV), 319 IBS patients and 296 patients with diverticular disease (DD), 113 asymptomatic [ASYMPDD] and 173 symptomatic DD (SYMPDD). Results, Patient Health Questionnaire 12 SS scores for IBS and SYMPDD were significantly higher than HV. Receiver,operator curves showed a PHQ-12 SS >6, gave a sensitivity for IBS of 66.4% with a specificity of 94.7% and a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) = 13.2, significantly better than that associated with an HAD anxiety score >7, PLR = 3.0 and depression score >7 PLR = 6.5. PHQ-12 SS correlated strongly with IBS severity scale and GP visits in both IBS and DD. Conclusion, The PHQ-12 SS scale is a useful clinical tool which correlates with patient behaviour in both IBS and symptomatic DD. [source]

Validation of a 7-point Global Overall Symptom scale to measure the severity of dyspepsia symptoms in clinical trials

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2006
S. J. O. VELDHUYZEN VAN ZANTEN
Summary Background, Currently there is no consensus on the optimal method to measure the severity of dyspepsia symptoms in clinical trials. Aim, To validate the 7-point Global Overall Symptom scale. Methods, The Global Overall Symptom scale uses a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = no problem to 7 = a very severe problem. Validation was performed in two randomized-controlled trials (n = 1121 and 512). Construct validity: Global Overall Symptom was compared with the Quality of Life in Reflux And Dyspepsia, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Reflux Disease Questionnaire and 10 specific symptoms using Spearman correlation coefficients. Test,retest reliability: The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was calculated for patients with stable dyspepsia defined by no change in Overall Treatment Effect score over two visits. Responsiveness: effect size and standardized response mean were also calculated. Results, Construct validity: Change in Global Overall Symptom score correlated significantly with Quality of Life for Reflux And Dyspepsia, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Reflux Disease Questionnaire and specific symptoms (all P < 0.0002). Reliability: The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.62 (n = 205) and 0.42 (n = 270). Responsiveness: There was a positive correlation between change in Global Overall Symptom and change in symptom severity. The effect size and standardized response mean were 1.1 and 2.1, respectively. Conclusion, The Global Overall Symptom scale is a simple, valid outcome measure for dyspepsia treatment trials. [source]

Prospective evaluation of cognitive function in patients with early breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Michelle RUZICH
Abstract Aim: To assess cognitive function prospectively in women with early breast cancer before, during and after the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Between May 2000 and November 2001, 35 assessable patients were entered into the study. Thirty-one received oral cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) and four received epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by CMF ((cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil)). Testing consisted of the completion of a battery of neuropsychological and psychological inventories and was performed prior to chemotherapy and repeated after 3 (n = 31) and 6 months (n = 30) of chemotherapy and also 6 months after the completion of chemotherapy (n = 27). Results: Prior to chemotherapy a proportion of the patients already exhibited some evidence of impairment of cognitive function. However, on completion of chemotherapy, the neuropsychological scores for short-term verbal memory and verbal learning were significantly lower than prior to, or 6 months after chemotherapy. In all other domains, cognitive function either remained constant or even appeared to improve. Symptom scales showed that fatigue, nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhea were worst half way through the chemotherapy. Quality of life scales indicated that functioning was best after completion of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Patients with early breast cancer may have impaired cognitive function before chemotherapy. Although transient deteriorations in verbal memory and verbal learning were observed on completion of chemotherapy, overall, cognitive function did not decline. It is likely that practice effects influenced our findings. [source]

Validation of the Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale by comparison with the Short Form 36 scale among psychiatric outpatients with major depressive disorder

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 6 2009
Ching-I Hung M.D.
Abstract Background: The Depression and Somatic Symptoms Scale (DSSS) is a self-administered scale developed for monitoring both depression and somatic symptoms. The aims of this study were to establish the criterion-related validity of the DSSS by testing the correlation between the DSSS and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) scale and to compare the ability of the DSSS and two other scales in predicting the outcome of the SF-36. Methods: The study enrolled 135 outpatients with a major depressive episode, 95 of whom received treatment for 1 month. Four scales were administered and evaluated: the DSSS, the SF-36, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Pearson correlation was used to test correlations among scales. Multiple linear regressions were used to find the scales most effective in predicting the SF-36. Results: The three scales were significantly correlated with most of the SF-36 subscales. The depression and somatic subscales of the DSSS significantly correlated with the mental and physical subscales of the SF-36, respectively. The DSSS and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were better able to predict physical and mental subscales of the SF-36, respectively. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale had a good ability to predict functional impairment. Conclusions: Psychometric scales with appropriate somatic symptoms might be more compatible with both physical and mental dimensions of the SF-36. DSSS proved to be a valid scale for monitoring both depression and somatic symptoms in patients with depression. Future studies should test whether the DSSS is better at predicting the treatment and prognosis of depression than conventional scales for depression. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Patterns of change in withdrawal symptoms, desire to smoke, reward motivation and response inhibition across 3 months of smoking abstinence

ADDICTION, Issue 5 2009
Lynne Dawkins
ABSTRACT Aims We have demonstrated previously that acute smoking abstinence is associated with lowered reward motivation and impaired response inhibition. This prospective study explores whether these impairments, along with withdrawal-related symptoms, recover over 3 months of sustained abstinence. Design Participants completed a 12-hour abstinent baseline assessment and were then allocated randomly to quit unaided or continue smoking. All were re-tested after 7 days, 1 month and 3 months. Successful quitters' scores were compared with those of continuing smokers, who were tested after ad libitum smoking. Setting Goldsmiths, University of London. Participants A total of 33 smokers who maintained abstinence to 3 months, and 31 continuing smokers. Measurements Indices demonstrated previously in this cohort of smokers to be sensitive to the effect of nicotine versus acute abstinence: reward motivation [Snaith,Hamilton pleasure scale (SHAPS), Card Arranging Reward Responsivity Objective Test (CARROT), Stroop], tasks of response inhibition [anti-saccade task; Continuous Performance Task (CPT)], clinical indices of mood [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], withdrawal symptoms [Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale (MPSS)] and desire to smoke. Findings SHAPS anhedonia and reward responsivity (CARROT) showed significant improvement and plateaued after a month of abstinence, not differing from the scores of continuing smokers tested in a satiated state. Mood, other withdrawal symptoms and desire to smoke all declined from acute abstinence to 1 month of cessation and were equivalent to, or lower than, the levels reported by continuing, satiated smokers. Neither group showed a change in CPT errors over time while continuing smokers, but not abstainers, showed improved accuracy on the anti-saccade task at 3 months. Conclusion Appetitive processes and related affective states appear to improve in smokers who remain nicotine-free for 3 months, whereas response inhibition does not. Although in need of replication, the results suggest tentatively that poor inhibitory control may constitute a long-term risk factor for relapse and could be a target for intervention. [source]

Quantitation of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2008
K. Ray Chaudhuri
Background:, Disabling non-motor symptoms (NMS) associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), such as dementia and loss of balance, do not respond well to levodopa therapy and can lead to eventual death in patients with the disease. In 2006, a multidisciplinary group of experts and patient representatives developed an NMS screening questionnaire (NMSQuest) and a unified Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) to address the need for simple identification and comprehensive assessment of NMS in patients with PD. Methods and Results:, An international pilot study of 96 healthy controls and 123 patients with various stages of treated and untreated PD was conducted to demonstrate that the NMSQuest is a feasible, valid, and accepted tool. Conclusion:, The majority of patients and caregivers felt that the questionnaire was clear and relevant to their daily lives. Data from 242 PD patients with no dementia were analysed in a pilot study on the clinimetric validation of NMSS. Similar to the NMSQuest study, the NMSS study revealed a significant correlation between progression of PD and increasing NMS burden. These studies suggest that the NMSQuest accurately detects the NMS, and that the NMSS closely correlates with quality of life for PD patients. [source]

Development of the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale: concurrent validity, discriminant validity and retest reliability

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008
Jodi M. Gonzalez
Abstract Scales used in studies of bipolar disorder have generally been standardized with major depressive or hospitalized manic patients. A clinician rated scale based on a semi-structured interview for persons with bipolar disorder, with comprehensive coverage of bipolar symptomatology, is needed. We report concurrent, divergent and convergent psychometric reliability, discriminant validity and relationship to a measure of overall function for a new psychometric rating instrument. A primarily outpatient sample of 224 subjects was assessed using the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale (BISS). The BISS total score and depression and mania subscales were compared to the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). Clinical mood states were also compared using the BISS. The BISS scores demonstrated good concurrent validity, with estimates (Pearson correlations) ranging from 0.74 to 0.94 for YMRS and MADRS and test,retest reliability from 0.95 to 0.98. BISS concurrent validity with the GAF was significant for four clinical states, but not mixed states. The BISS discriminated primary bipolar mood states as well as subjects recovered for eight weeks compared to healthy controls. In conclusion, the BISS is a reliable and valid instrument broadly applicable in clinical research to assess the comprehensive domains of bipolar disorder. Future directions include factor analysis and sensitivity to change from treatment studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Dysautonomia rating scales in Parkinson's disease: Sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation,Critique and recommendations by movement disorders task force on rating scales for Parkinson's disease,

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 5 2009
Marian L. Evatt MD
Abstract Upper and lower gastrointestinal dysautonomia symptoms (GIDS),sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and often socially as well as physically disabling for patients. Available invasive quantitative measures for assessing these symptoms and their response to therapy are time-consuming, require specialized equipment, can cause patient discomfort and present patients with risk. The Movement Disorders Society commissioned a task force to assess available clinical rating scales, critique their clinimetric properties, and make recommendations regarding their clinical utility. Six clinical researchers and a biostatistician systematically searched the literature for scales of sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation, evaluated the scales' previous use, performance parameters, and quality of validation data (if available). A scale was designated "Recommended" if the scale was used in clinical studies beyond the group that developed it, has been specifically used in PD reports, and clinimetric studies have established that it is a valid, reliable, and sensitive. "Suggested" scales met at least part of the above criteria, but fell short of meeting all. Based on the systematic review, scales for individual symptoms of sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation were identified along with three global scales that include these symptoms in the context of assessing dysautonomia or nonmotor symptoms. Three sialorrhea scales met criteria for Suggested: Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS), Drooling Rating Scale, and Sialorrhea Clinical Scale for PD (SCS-PD). Two dysphagia scales, the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) and Dysphagia-Specific Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL), met criteria for Suggested. Although Rome III constipation module is widely accepted in the gastroenterology community, and the earlier version from the Rome II criteria has been used in a single study of PD patients, neither met criteria for Suggested or Recommended. Among the global scales, the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) and Nonmotor Symptoms Questionnaire for PD (NMSQuest) both met criteria for Recommended, and the Nonmotor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) met criteria for Suggested; however, none specifically focuses on the target gastrointestinal symptoms (sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation) of this report. A very small number of rating scales have been applied to studies of gastrointestinal-related dysautonomia in PD. Only two scales met "Recommended" criteria and neither focuses specifically on the symptoms of sialorrhea, dysphagia, and constipation. Further scale testing in PD among the scales that focus on these symptoms is warranted, and no new scales are needed until the available scales are fully tested clinimetrically. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society [source]

Metric characteristics of the drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms scale (DIEPSS): A practical combined rating scale for drug-induced movement disorders

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 6 2002
Jong-Hoon Kim MD
Abstract The metric properties of the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS) were examined in 182 subjects treated with antipsychotics. Inter-rater reliability, test,retest reliability, and concurrent validity with other rating scales for EPS were high. Four factors were identified and the optimal diagnostic cut-off scores were obtained. These results suggest that the DIEPSS is a reliable and valid multidimensional rating scale. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society [source]

Hypogonadism-related symptoms: development and evaluation of an empirically derived self-rating instrument (HRS ,Hypogonadism Related Symptom Scale')

Does structured clinical supervision during psychosocial intervention education enhance outcome for mental health nurses and the service users they work with?

JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2007
T. BRADSHAW rmn diphe bsc(hons) mphil
This study aimed to assess whether clinical supervision provided by workplace-based supervisors can enhance outcomes for mental health nurses attending a psychosocial intervention education programme and the service users whom they work with. A quasi-experimental controlled design was used. The main outcome measure was student knowledge and attitudes towards individuals with psychosis and their caregivers. Secondary outcome measures for service users included the KGV (M) symptom scale and the Social Functioning Scale. Students in the experimental group demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge of psychological interventions compared with the control group. Service users seen by the students in the experimental group showed significantly greater reductions in positive psychotic symptoms and total symptoms compared with those seen by students in the control group. Workplace clinical supervision may offer additional benefit to nurses attending psychosocial intervention courses. Further research adopting more robust designs is required to support these tentative findings. [source]

Concurrent validity of the Yale,Brown Obsessive,Compulsive Scale,Symptom checklist,

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2008
Michael L. Sulkowski
Abstract Despite the frequent use of the Yale,Brown Obsessive,Compulsive Scale,Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS-SC; Goodman et al., 1989a) and the Obsessive,Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R; Foa et al., 2002), there are limited data on the psychometric properties of the two instruments. In the present research, clinician ratings on the Y-BOCS-SC for 112 patients with obsessive,compulsive disorder (OCD) were compared to their self-report ratings on the OCI-R. In addition, Y-BOCS-SC and OCI-R scores were compared to measures of OCD symptom severity and self-report measures of anxiety (State,Trait Anxiety Inventory,Trait Subscale [STAI-T]; Spielberger, Gorusch, & Lushene, 1970) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996). The six symptom scales of the OCI-R had good internal consistency reliabilities (,s). For the Y-BOCS-SC, three of five scales had good reliabilities (,s >.80), but ,s for symmetry/ordering and sexual/religious symptom scales were inadequate. Total scores for the two instruments were strongly correlated with their corresponding "checking" scales, but no individual symptoms scales were identified as indices of overall OCD symptom presence. Scales assessing washing/contamination, symmetry/ordering, and hoarding from the two OCD instruments correlated well, but lower correlations for the other scales suggested differences in symptom coverage by the two instruments. Most symptom scales from the Y-BOCS-SC and OCI-R had low correlations with the BDI-II and STAI-T, but the OCI-R obsessing scale was well correlated (r=.54) with the STAI-T. These findings reveal some of the strengths and weaknesses of these two OCD instruments, and the results provide guidance for selecting scales that are suitable for measuring OCD symptoms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1,14, 2008. [source]

Urinary incontinence symptom scores and urodynamic diagnoses

NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 1 2002
Mary P. FitzGerald
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether scores on two validated urinary incontinence symptom scales predicted eventual urodynamic diagnoses. Two hundred ninety-three patients undergoing multi-channel urodynamic testing rated their symptoms of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP), using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, the Urogenital Distress Inventory, and an obstructive symptom subscale from the long form of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. Among the 202 (69%) patients without advance-stage POP, increasing scores on scale items related to stress and urge incontinence predicted increasing frequency of the diagnoses of genuine stress incontinence (GSI) and detrusor instability, respectively. Among the 91 (31%) patients with advance-stage POP, there was no association. Among all patients with GSI, the presence of intrinsic sphincter deficiency could not be predicted by responses to the symptom scales. Scores on the symptom scales were inadequate predictors of eventual urodynamic diagnoses, especially among women with advance-stage POP. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:30,35, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Quality of life of patients with ovarian cancer in Taiwan: validation and application of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2010
Wei-Chu Chie
Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Taiwan Chinese Version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28. Methods: The authors translated the questionnaire according to the guideline of the EORTC. A total of 96 patients with ovarian cancer in National Taiwan University Hospital were interviewed with the questionnaire and the EORTC QLQ-C30 between September 2004 and September 2007. Answer distribution and psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-OV28 were examined. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54 (standard deviation 12 years). Most of the patients were in FIGO stages III or IV. Two thirds were on-treatment (chemotherapy). Items for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, menopausal symptoms, and sexuality showed more flooring effects than others. Missing values were frequent in further questions about sexual activity. After excluding conditional questions, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients of most scales were satisfactory (0.74,0.89), except other chemotherapy side effects (0.63) and menopausal symptoms (0.39). The item-to-own and item-to-other scales correlation showed satisfactory results. Patients who were on-treatment had significantly poorer quality of life (QoL) scores in most symptom scales. Conclusions: The EORTC QLQ-OV28 is a valid instrument to assess QoL issues of patients with ovarian cancer in Taiwan, a country of a different culture. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Quality of Life Correlates After Surgery for Laryngeal Carcinoma,,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 10 2007
Julian Bindewald
Abstract Objectives: To assess the correlation of operation mode, postoperative radiotherapy, and disease stage factors with the health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures after surgery for laryngeal carcinoma. Study Design: Reanalysis of data of two multi-institutional cross-sectional studies. Patients and Methods: We interviewed 218 laryngectomees and 153 partial laryngectomy patients in and near Leipzig, Germany, in two cross-sectional studies, using the general and the head- and neck-specific quality of life questionnaires of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35). Multifactorial univariate and multivariate models were calculated, with laryngectomy vs. partial laryngectomy, radiotherapy (irradiated or not), and disease stage (International Union Against Cancer [UICC] stages I/II vs. III/IV) as influencing factors and the HRQL scales and items as dependent variables. Analyses were adjusted for the patient's age and the time elapsed since the operation. Results: Laryngectomees were more affected in their sense of smell (P , .000). Among irradiated patients, functioning levels and many symptom scales showed worse results (P , .05). Both operation mode and postoperative radiotherapy were independently associated with head- and neck-specific HRQL in multivariate analysis. Differences between disease stage groups, however, were not significant. Patient's age was an influencing factor on HRQL, but time since operation was not. Conclusions: Postoperative radiotherapy seems to have the greatest impact on patients' HRQL independent of other clinical factors following surgery for laryngeal carcinoma. Aftercare of irradiated laryngeal carcinoma patients should focus more on the patient's quality of life. [source]

Is good ,quality of life' possible at the end of life?

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 4 2001
An explorative study of the experiences of a group of cancer patients in two different care cultures INFORMATION POINT: Factor analysis
,,The purpose of this paper was to explore how a group of gravely ill patients, cared for in different care cultures, assessed their quality of life during their last month of life. ,,The study material comprised quality of life assessments from 47 cancer patients, completed during their last month of life. Two quality of life questionnaires, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and a psychosocial well-being questionnaire, were used. The data were treated in accordance with instructions for the respective questionnaires, and the results are presented primarily as means, mostly at the group level. Assessments from patients in two different care cultures, care-orientated and cure-orientated, were compared. ,,The results show that despite having an assessed lower quality of life in many dimensions than people in general, several patients experienced happiness and satisfaction during their last month of life. ,,,Cognitive functioning' and ,emotional functioning' were the dimensions that differed least from those of the general population, and ,physical functioning', ,role functioning' and ,global health status/quality of life' differed the most. ,Fatigue' showed the highest mean for the symptom scales/items. ,,There was a tendency for those cared for in the cure-orientated care culture to report more symptoms than those in the care-orientated care culture. An exception to this was ,pain', which was reported more often by those in the care-orientated care culture. ,,The implications of the results are discussed from different angles. The significance of knowledge concerning how patients experience their quality of life is also discussed with respect to the care and the planning of care for dying patients. [source]