Validation of ratings on the six-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale obtained via the Simplified Negative and Positive Symptoms Interview among outpatients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: The six-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-6) is a measure of the severity of core symptoms of schizophrenia, which can be administered via the brief Simplified Negative and Positive Symptoms Interview (SNAPSI). A recent study has confirmed the validity of PANSS-6 ratings as derived by SNAPSI (PANSS-6SNAPSI) among inpatients with schizophrenia. Aims: We aimed to test the validity of PANSS-6SNAPSI among outpatients with schizophrenia using PANSS-6 ratings extracted from the 30-item PANSS-30 as derived by the Structured Clinical Interview for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-6SCI-PANSS) as a gold standard reference. Methods: PANSS-6SNAPSI and PANSS-6SCI-PANSS ratings were obtained at two time points by independent raters with established inter-rater reliability. Agreement between PANSS-6SNAPSI and PANSS-6SCI-PANSS ratings was estimated via intra-class coefficients (ICCs) and responsiveness over time was quantified using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. Post hoc “leave-one-out” analyses were carried out, in which each rater in turn was excluded from the ICC calculations. Results: Seventy-three outpatients with schizophrenia participated in the study (mean age: 38.3 years; 56% males). The ICC for PANSS-6SNAPSI versus PANSS-6SCI-PANSS was 0.67 [95%CI = 0.56–0.76] and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for responsiveness was 0.40 ( p = 0.004). When data from a specific outlying rater were excluded, the ICC for PANSS-6SNAPSI versus PANSS-6SCI-PANSS was 0.75 [95% CI = 0.63–0.83] and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for responsiveness was 0.55 ( p = 0.018). Conclusions: We found PANSS-6SNAPSI ratings to have acceptable clinical validity, suggesting that PANSS-6SNAPSI can be used for both inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia.

A review on the current status of homoeopathy in the management of schizophrenia

“…[41][42] BPRS was developed as a measurement instrument to assess the change in psychopathology in a wide variety of severe psychiatric disorders, namely depression with psychotic symptoms, bipolar affective disorder, and schizophrenia. [43] BPRS is used for assessment in most of the available articles though it is not specific for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is represented in only Murphy's repertory and synthesis repertory.…”

Initial severity of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)-30, its main subscales plus the PANSS-6, and the relationship to subsequent improvement and trial dropout: a pooled participant-level analysis of 18 placebo-controlled risperidone and paliperidone trials

“…The PANSS-6 has been shown to have comparable sensitivity to change and representation of remission as the PANSS-30 across a number of different schizophrenia populations (acute, chronic, treatment resistant) and antipsychotic compounds [ 2 – 5 ]. Since the PANSS-6 can be administered using much less time compared to PANSS-30 [ 6 – 8 ], it is a promising candidate for use in measurement-based care, e.g., for tracking symptom progression or improvement over time, in clinical practice [ 9 ].…”