Document Detail


Measuring the suffering of end-stage dementia: reliability and validity of the Mini-Suffering State Examination.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  14698490     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Assessment of suffering is extremely important in dying end-stage dementia patients (ESDP). We have developed and examined the reliability and validity of the Mini-Suffering State Examination (MSSE), in 103 consecutive bedridden ESDP. Main outcome measures included inter-observer reliability and concurrent validity. Reliability of the MSSE questionnaire was satisfactory, with Cronbach alpha values of 0.735 and 0.718 for the two physicians (Ph-1, Ph-2), respectively. The kappa agreement coefficient was 0.791. There was a high agreement for seven items (kappa 0.882-0.972) and a substantial agreement for the other three items (kappa 0.621-0.682) of the MSSE. MSSE was validated versus the comfort assessment in dying with dementia (CAD-EOLD) scale and resulted in a significant Pearson correlation (r=-0.796, P<0.001). We conclude that the MSSE scale is a reliable and valid clinical tool, recommended for evaluating the severity of the patient's condition and the level of suffering of ESDP. Use of MSSE may improve medical management and facilitate communication between patients and caregivers.
Authors:
Bechor Z Aminoff; Elena Purits; Shlomo Noy; Abraham Adunsky
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Validation Studies    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Archives of gerontology and geriatrics     Volume:  38     ISSN:  0167-4943     ISO Abbreviation:  Arch Gerontol Geriatr     Publication Date:    2004 Mar-Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-12-30     Completed Date:  2004-05-25     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8214379     Medline TA:  Arch Gerontol Geriatr     Country:  Ireland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  123-30     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Geriatric Medicine and Memory Clinic, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel. bechorz@yahoo.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Analysis of Variance
Dementia / psychology*
Geriatric Assessment
Humans
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
Reproducibility of Results
Stress, Psychological / diagnosis*
Terminal Care

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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