Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T16:29:21.651Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Self-Rating Scale for Measuring Neuroleptic Side-Effects

Validation in a Group of Schizophrenic Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Jennifer C. Day
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Graham Wood
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Mike Dewey
Affiliation:
Royal Preston Hospital, Preston
Richard P. Bentall*
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool
*
Professor Bentall, Department of Clinical Psychology, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, PO Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX

Abstract

Background

A study was conducted to validate a comprehensive self-rating scale for measuring side-effects of neuroleptic drugs.

Method

The Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale (LUNSERS), which includes ‘red herring’ items, was twice administered to 50 DSM–III–R schizophrenic patients, who were also interviewed using the UKU side-effect rating scale; 50 unmedicated controls also completed the LUNSERS.

Results

The test-retest reliability of the LUNSERS was good (r = 0.811, P< 0.001) as was its concurrent validity against the UKU (r = 0.828, P< 0.001). Scores correlated with chlorpromazine equivalent doses (r = 0.310, P< 0.02). ROC analysis demonstrated that the scale discriminated between patients and non-medicated controls, who scored differently for real side-effects but not for ‘red herring’ items.

Conclusions

The LUNSERS is an efficient, reliable and valid method of assessing neuroleptic side-effects.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1995 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association (1987) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edn, revised) (DSM–III–R). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
Barnes, T. R. E. (1989) A rating scale for drug-induced akathisia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 154, 672676.Google Scholar
Bartko, G., Herczeg, I. & Zador, G. (1988) Clinical sympatomatology and drug compliance in schizophrenic patients. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 77, 7476.Google Scholar
Frank, A. F. & Gunderson, J. G. (1990) The role of the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of schizophrenia. Archives of General Psychiatry, 47, 228236.Google Scholar
Green, J. H. (1988) Frequent rehospitalisation and non-compliance with treatment. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 39, 963966.Google Scholar
Hogan, T. P., Awad, A. G. & Eastwood, R. (1983) A self-report scale predictive of drug compliance in schizophrenics. Psychological Medicine, 13, 177183.Google Scholar
Jolley, A. G., Hirsch, S. R., Morrison, E., et al (1990) Trial of brief intermittent neuroleptic prophylaxis for selected schizophrenic outpatients: clinical and social outcome at two years. British Medical Journal, 301, 837842.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lingjaerde, O., Ahlfors, V. G., Dech, P., et al (1987) The UKU side effect rating scale for psychotropic drugs and a cross sectional study of side effects in neuroleptic treated patients. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Supplementum, 334, 76.Google Scholar
Nelson, A. (1975) Drug default among schizophrenic patients. American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 32, 12371242.Google Scholar
Simpson, G. M. & Angus, J. W. S. (1970) A rating scale for extrapyramidal side effects. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Supplementum, 212, 1119.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Swets, J. A. & Pickett, R. M. (1982) Evaluation of Diagnostic Systems; Methods from Signal Detection Theory. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.