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PubMed2001

Pain measurement scales: a comparison of the visual analogue and faces rating scales in measuring pressure ulcer pain.

OBJECTIVE: Although different pain scales often have been used interchangeably, it is not known whether interchanging them is appropriate. The purpose of this report was twofold: to better understand the statistical properties of the Faces Rating Scale (FRS) so it can be used appropriately in clinical settings and to describe the mathematical relationship between the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the FRS when they are used to quantify pressure ulcer pain in hospitalized elderly patients. DESIGN: Secondary data analyses were performed as part of a cross-sectional study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A quality assurance program was undertaken to evaluate pressure ulcer pain perceived by elderly hospitalized patients. All patients without aphasia participated. INSTRUMENTS: The VAS used was a 0 to 100 mm horizontal line demonstrated to have ratio scale properties with high validity and reproducibility, and the FRS used was 6 faces ordered horizontally from smiling to crying, labeled 0 to 5 beneath each face, respectively. METHODS: Nonlinear least squares regression with a Gauss-Newton iterative procedure was used. RESULTS: Among models with cubic, quadratic, and linear terms, only the quadratic term was significant (P <.05). With use of the equation derived, VAS = 3.33*(FRS)(2), the resulting reliability coefficient was r = 0.92. CONCLUSIONS: The nonlinear relationship indicated high reliability between VAS and FRS for pain assessment in populations with diminished verbal and abstract thinking abilities. For readers who would like to translate results from one scale to another, a quadratic equation is provided.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory's Scale B and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale to identify alcoholics with concurrent psychiatric diagnoses.

The ability of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC) and Scale B of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) to discriminate independently defined alcoholics with psychiatric diagnoses from other psychiatric patients was examined for males and all alcoholics, using three different criteria of alcoholism. The MAC identified from 80% to 87% of male alcoholics and 76% to 82% of all alcoholics, and from 25% to 52% of male nonalcoholics and 55% to 75% of all nonalcoholics, resulting in a large number of false positives. Scale B identified from 31% to 60% of male alcoholics and 33% to 43% of all alcoholics, and from 73% to 85% of male nonalcoholics and 85% to 94% of all nonalcoholics. The operating characteristics of Scale B showed that it was not as efficient in identifying alcoholics as previous work had indicated. We suggest that Scale B should not be used and the MAC should be used cautiously to discriminate alcoholics with psychiatric disorders from patients without alcoholism.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS): initial validation of a standardized scale for assessment of sexually related personal distress in women.

Recent consensus-based characterizations of female sexual dysfunction have emphasized personal distress as an essential component of their definition. To assist researchers and clinicians, we developed a new scale, the Female Sexual Distress Scale, to measure sexually related personal distress in women. In this article, we describe the initial stages in the development and validation of this instrument. Three studies involving a total of approximately 500 women were performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale in different samples of sexually functional and dysfunctional women. Results indicated a unidimensional factor structure in both the original 20-item version and in a "polished" 12-item version. We observed a high degree of internal consistency and test-retest reliability in both versions across all three studies. Additionally, the scale showed a high degree of discriminative ability to distinguish between sexually dysfunctional and functional women in each of the studies. One study also showed a strong sensitivity to treatment response. Finally, we observed moderate positive correlations with other conceptually related nonsexual measures of distress, supporting the construct validity of the scale. Overall, these findings provide solid support for the FSDS as a valid and reliable measure for assessing sexually related personal distress in women.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Solar photocatalytic oxidation of pretreated wastewaters: laboratory scale generation of design data for technical-scale double-skin sheet reactors.

Batchwise heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of model wastewater (solutions of the azo dye "Acid Orange 7" in tap water) has been performed in a laboratory-scale stirred vessel reactor with non-submerged UV-A lamps using titanium dioxide "P25" as photocatalyst. Comparison to results of solar pilot-scale Plexiglass double-skin sheet reactor (DSSR) experiments indicates that the lab-scale method may predict area demand for technical-scale DSSR design. Characteristic UV-A fluences leading to TOC or COD reduction to e(-1) of the initial concentrations were determined in lab-scale stirred vessel experiments for treated effluents of seven different industrial branches, secondary municipal effluent and biologically treated greywater. Predicted areas for solar photocatalytic oxidation of these effluents in DSSRs yielding mineralization of 95% of organics in 100 m3 of the respective effluents for a TiO2 concentration of 2 g l(-1) and a sky and solar radiation of 3.9kWh m(-2) d(-1) within one day greatly varied from below 6,000 m2 (biologically treated lubricating oil refinery effluent) to more than 100,000 m2 (highly saline biologically treated effluent of chemical industry). Especially municipal and refinery effluents (except oil reclaiming) have been identified as promising candidates for reuse after solar photocatalytic oxidation. Mineralization efficiency was decreasing with increasing alkalinity of effluents. This was interpreted by competition of hydrogen carbonate anions with organics for binding sites on photocatalyst surface and by OH radical scavenging by hydrogen carbonate. Dependence on alkalinity was superimposed by salinity influence as some effluents with high alkalinity also exhibited high salt concentrations (especially chloride).

Catalysis↗
PubMed1999

The Brussels sedation scale: use of a simple clinical sedation scale can avoid excessive sedation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit.

Sedation is an important component of patient comfort in the intensive care unit (ICU), especially in those undergoing mechanical ventilation. Sedation that is too light or too deep can have important consequences, and therefore assessment of the degree of sedation should be an important part of patient management. Although there are many methods available to assess the degree of sedation, none is ideal. Therefore, we developed a new sedation scale and analysed its clinical impact in the management of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. The study comprised two consecutive phases. In the first phase, the medical team did not use a sedation scale. In the second phase, the medical staff used the new sedation scale, comprising five levels, depending on the perceived degree of sedation: levels 1 and 2 = oversedation; levels 3 and 4 = correct sedation; and level 5 = undersedation. There were no significant differences in mean or highest levels between patients in the two phases (mean 2.89 (SD 0.11) vs 2.67 (0.13), P = 0.22; highest 3.16 (0.11) vs 3.10 (0.14), P = 0.78). However, the lowest level was significantly greater in patients in the second phase than in those in the first phase (2.61 (0.11) vs 2.16 (0.13); P = 0.011), indicating that the number of patients with excessive sedation was significantly reduced with the introduction of this scale. Thus the use of this scale can have a real clinical impact for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, principally by avoiding excessive sedation.

Procedural Sedation↗
PubMed1992

Rutter's Behaviour Scale (B2) for children (Teacher's Scale): validation and standardization for use on Nigerian children.

Nigerian teachers were asked to place the children in their classes in either of two groups: Group I, comprising children of normal behaviour, and Group II, children who, in their opinion, had significant behavioural problems. Validity of the teachers' grouping was confirmed, using as reference measure the findings from traditional psychological assessment of the children. The teachers then completed the Rutter Child Behaviour Questionnaire (Teachers' Scale) for the same children. The children's scores on the Rutter Scale were matched against the teacher's grouping, the aim being to identify the Rutter Score that separates the children into two 'behaviour' groups that agree most closely with the teachers' own grouping. Results show that this was achieved at the Rutter Score of 10 (k = 0.66). Children scoring 10 or more on the Rutter scale appeared mostly in Group II, while those scoring less than 10 were mostly in Group I. Rutter's scale was also found to be a highly valid instrument for identifying Nigerian children with behavioural problems. It is recommended that Nigerian children scoring > or = 10 on Rutter's Behaviour Questionnaire (Teacher's Scale), should be regarded as children with behavioural disorder. This is one point higher than the score of > or = 9 recommended for British children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Structural order for one-scale and two-scale potentials.

We perform molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the relationship between structural order and waterlike dynamic and thermodynamic anomalies in spherically symmetric potentials having either one or two characteristic length scales. Structural order is characterized by translational and orientational order parameters. We find that (i) dynamic and thermodynamic anomalies exist for both one-scale and two-scale ramp potentials, and (ii) waterlike structural order anomalies exist only for the two-scale ramp potential. Our findings suggest that the waterlike relationship between structural order and anomalies is related to the presence of two different length scales in the potential.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

The keratin chains of avian scale tissue. Sequence heterogeneity and the number of scale keratin genes.

The three major proteins of chick scale keratin were isolated as their S-carboxymethylated derivatives and shown to be similar or identical in molecular weight by gel filtration but to be distinct by amino acid analysis and gel electrophoresis. The major amino-terminal sequence of scale keratin chains was determined and shown to be highly homologous to the corresponding region of feather keratin chains. The carboxyl-terminal peptides of the three scale keratin fractions differed in sequence but were all homologous to the carboxyl-terminal segment of feather keratin chains. The pronounced concentration of cysteine residues at the amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal segments suggested a similar role for these regions in both scale and feather keratin chains, namely to provide a disulphide-linked matrix to maintain the organisation of fibrils which arise from the internal hydrophobic segments of both types of chain. Analysis of a large hydrophobic segment from each of the three isolated protein fractions revealed that each was composed largely of repeating tripeptide units of the type Gly-Gly-X (where X = Phe, Leu or Tyr). At a few positions in each hydrophobic peptide, microheterogeneity was apparent in the sequences indicating that each isolated protein fraction was composed of at least three different chains each encoded by a different gene. A minimum of nine keratin genes are therefore expressed in scale tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1980

The DTES - drug taking evaluation scale. A simple scale for the evaluation of drug taking behaviour.

This paper describes a clinically based scale elaborated for the evaluation of drug taking behaviour. The scale is a composite scale that included subscales for drug taking behaviour, social functioning, social identity and belonging and mental health. The scale is used in different evaluation projects from surveys to treatment research, and the experiences as well as reliability testing are described. Finally, the paper contains a manual for the use of the scale.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Scale matters: the need for a Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS).

OBJECTIVE: To briefly review the clinical and biological distinctions between unipolar and bipolar depression critiquing in particular currently available depression rating scales and discuss the need for a new observer-rated scale tailored to bipolar depression. METHOD: Relevant literature pertaining to the symptomatic differences between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder as well as their measurement using existing assessment scales was identified by computerized searches and reviews of scientific journals known to the authors. RESULTS: Bipolar depression is distinct from unipolar depression in terms of phenomenology and clinical characteristics. These distinguishing features can be used to identify bipolarity in patients that present with recurrent depressive episodes. This is important because current self-report and observer-rated scales are optimized for unipolar depression, and hence limited in their ability to accurately assess bipolar depression. CONCLUSION: The development of a specific bipolar depression rating scale will improve the assessment of bipolar depression in both research and clinical settings and assist the development of better treatments and interventions.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1996

Development of a scale to measure the social and psychological effects of severe dental anxiety: social attributes of the Dental Anxiety Scale.

This paper describes the development of a scale designed to measure the extent to which severe dental anxiety or phobia affects patients' social wellbeing outside of the dental setting. Items initially selected on the basis of clinical experience were administered to two groups: 78 patients seeking help for severe anxiety and 88 patients attending the general clinic of a dental hospital. Items on the scale discriminated between these two groups and also between patients who were reluctant to attend even when experiencing symptoms and those who attend more regularly. Although the scale correlated moderately well with Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale, factor analysis indicated that its items assess the effects of severe anxiety on the two domains of psychological reactions and social inhibition as they occur as indirect effects of dental care. The scale could be included in assessments designed to measure the social and psychological effects of severe dental anxiety.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The Tobacco Control Scale: a new scale to measure country activity.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the implementation of tobacco control policies at country level using a new Tobacco Control Scale and to report initial results using the scale. METHOD: A questionnaire sent to correspondents in 30 European countries, using a scoring system designed with the help of a panel of international tobacco control experts. RESULTS: The 30 countries are ranked by their total score on the scale out of a maximum possible score of 100. Only four countries (Ireland, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland) scored 70 or more, with an eight point gap (most differences in scores are small) to the fifth country, Malta, on 62. Only 13 countries scored above 50, 11 of them from the European Union (EU), and the second largest points gap occurs between Denmark on 45 and Portugal on 39, splitting the table into three groups: 70 and above, 45 to 62, 39 and below. Ireland had the highest overall score, 74 out of 100, and Luxembourg was bottom with 26 points. However even Ireland, much praised for their ban on smoking in public places, did not increase tobacco taxes in 2005, for the first time since 1995. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Tobacco Control Scale has limitations, this is the first time such a scale has been developed and applied to so many countries. We hope it will be useful in encouraging countries to strengthen currently weak areas of their tobacco control policy.

Europe↗
PubMed1998

Prospective study of a self-report type A scale and risk of coronary heart disease: test of the MMPI-2 type A scale.

BACKGROUND: Several methods exist by which to assess type A behavior (TAB). Although the videotaped clinical interview is regarded as the "gold standard," self-report measures have also proved useful in assessing TAB in large population studies. The purpose of this study was to examine prospectively the relationship of TAB to risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence with the use of the revised Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) Type A Scale. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first test of this scale in the context of predicting CHD incidence. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was performed in the VA Normative Aging Study, an ongoing cohort of older (mean age, 61 years) community-dwelling men. A total of 1305 men who were free of diagnosed CHD in 1986 completed the MMPI-2 Type A Scale. During an average 7.0 years of follow-up, 110 cases of incident CHD occurred. Compared with men in the lowest quartile of type A scores, men in the highest quartile had multivariate adjusted relative risks of 2.86 (95% CI, 1.19 to 6.89; P for trend=0.016) for combined CHD death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and 2.30 (95% CI, 1.32 to 4.01; P for trend=0.001) for combined CHD death/nonfatal MI plus angina pectoris. The relationship of TAB to CHD was independent of measures of anger and cynicism. CONCLUSIONS: The MMPI-2 Type A Scale predicts CHD incidence. Further research is warranted to examine the correlation, if any, between this scale and the videotaped clinical interview.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Interrater reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Resistance to passive movement in children with spastic cerebral palsy was assessed by two raters using the Modified Ashworth Scale and the Modified Tardieu Scale. Four muscle groups in the lower limbs were tested using a standardized procedure. Interrater reliability of the scales was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Seventeen children, with a mean age of 7 years 9 months, were included. Two children were rated twice. The intraclass correlation coefficients of both scales were low and did not reach the acceptable limit of 0.75. Caution should be used when these scales are applied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS) scale: a revised scale for contemporary palliative care clinical practice [ISRCTN81117481].

BACKGROUND: The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is a gold standard scale. The Thorne-modified KPS (TKPS) focuses on community-based care and has been shown to be more relevant to palliative care settings than the original KPS. The Australia-modified KPS (AKPS) blends KPS and TKPS to accommodate any setting of care. METHODS: Performance status was measured using all three scales for palliative care patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in South Australia. Care occurred in a range of settings. Survival was defined from enrollment to death. RESULTS: Ratings were collected at 1600 timepoints for 306 participants. The median score on all scales was 60. KPS and AKPS agreed in 87% of ratings; 79% of disagreements occurred within 1 level on the 11-level scales. KPS and TKPS agreed in 76% of ratings; 85% of disagreements occurred within one level. AKPS and TKPS agreed in 85% of ratings; 87% of disagreements were within one level. Strongest agreement occurred at the highest levels (70-90), with greatest disagreement at lower levels (< or =40). Kappa coefficients for agreement were KPS-TKPS 0.71, KPS-AKPS 0.84, and AKPS-TKPS 0.82 (all p < 0.001). Spearman correlations with survival were KPS 0.26, TKPS 0.27 and AKPS 0.26 (all p < 0.001). AKPS was most predictive of survival at the lower range of the scale. All had longitudinal test-retest validity. Face validity was greatest for the AKPS. CONCLUSION: The AKPS is a useful modification of the KPS that is more appropriate for clinical settings that include multiple venues of care such as palliative care.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

A scale for the assessment of hedonic tone the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale.

BACKGROUND: Hedonic tone and its absence, anhedonia, are important in psychopathological research, but instruments for their assessment are lengthy and probably culturally biased. METHOD: A new scale was constructed from the responses of a large sample of the general population to a request to list six situations which afforded pleasure. The most frequent items were reviewed and those likely to be affected by cultural setting, age, or sex were removed. A pilot study led to an abbreviated scale of 14 items, covering four domains of pleasure response. This questionnaire was subjected to psychometric evaluation in new samples from the general population and psychiatric patients. RESULTS: The scale was found to have a score range that would distinguish a 'normal' from an 'abnormal' response. Validity and reliability were found to be satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The new scale, the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), is an instrument which may be recommended for psychopathological research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Barron's Ego Strength Scale and Welsh's Anxiety and Repression Scales: a comparison of the MMPI and MMPI-2.

In this study we examined the comparability of the Ego Strength (Es), Anxiety (A), and Repression (R) scales, and Welsh's (1965) classification of scores on the A and R scales into nine categories, on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and MMPI-2. Undergraduate students (65 women, 65 men) completed the MMPI and MMPI-2, in counterbalanced order, 1 week apart. There was high agreement between MMPI and MMPI-2 for the A scale, moderately high agreement for the Es scale, and a moderate level of agreement for the R scale, but little consistency in Welsh's categorization of A and R scores.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Assessing the dysregulation of the Behavioral Activation System: the Hypomanic Personality Scale and the BIS-BAS scales.

We discuss the Hypomanic Personality Scale (Hyp; Eckblad & Chapman, 1986) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS-BAS; Carver & White, 1994) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS; Gray, 1991) Scales as risk factors for bipolar disorders. The dysregulation of the BAS is considered to be central and results in higher variability in mood. Therefore, we examined how those scales are associated with mood fluctuations. A total of 59 participants completed a diary for at least 17 days. It included a modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (Meyer & Hautzinger, 2001) assessing depression and mania and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). Hyp and BAS predicted levels of mania and of positive affect but also fluctuations of mania. Hyp also predicted instability of negative affect. Our data also suggest that mood variability is a trait-like feature. Both scales seem not to be perfect measures of the dysregulation factor. Future research should assess this dysregulation more directly.

Adolescent↗