Scale for the assesment and rating of ataxia / Development of a new clinical scale

Schmitz-Hübsch, T. and du Montcel, S. Tezenas and Balikó, L. and Berciano, J. and Boesch, S. and Depondt, C. and Giunti, P. and Globas, C. and Infante, J. and Kang, J.-S. and Kremer, B. and Mariotti, C. and Melegh, B. and Pandolfo, M. and Rakowicz, M. and Ribai, P. and Rola, R. and Schöls, L. and Szymanski, S and van de Warrenburg, Bart P. and Dürr, A. and Klockgether, T. (2006) Scale for the assesment and rating of ataxia / Development of a new clinical scale. Neurology, 66 (11). pp. 1717-1720. ISSN 1526-632X

Text Balikó L Neurology 2006 66 11 p1717-1720.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable and valid clinical scale measuring the severity of ataxia. METHODS: The authors devised the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and tested it in two trials of 167 and 119 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia. RESULTS: The mean time to administer SARA in patients was 14.2 +/- 7.5 minutes (range 5 to 40). Interrater reliability was high, with an intraclass coefficient (ICC) of 0.98. Test-retest reliability was high with an ICC of 0.90. Internal consistency was high as indicated by Cronbach's alpha of 0.94. Factorial analysis revealed that the rating results were determined by a single factor. SARA ratings showed a linear relation to global assessments using a visual analogue scale, suggesting linearity of the scale (p < 0.0001, r(2) = 0.98). SARA score increased with the disease stage (p < 0.001) and was closely correlated with the Barthel Index (r = -0.80, p < 0.001) and part IV (functional assessment) of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS-IV) (r = -0.89, p < 0.0001), whereas it had only a weak correlation with disease duration (r = 0.34, p < 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia is a reliable and valid measure of ataxia, making it an appropriate primary outcome measure for clinical trials. Comment in SARA--a new clinical scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia. [Nat Clin Pract Neurol. 2007]

Actions (login required)

Edit Item