A SELF-RATING SCALE FOR MEASURING NEUROLEPTIC SIDE-EFFECTS - VALIDATION IN A GROUP OF SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Background. A study was conducted to validate a comprehensive self-rat ing 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-II I-R schizophrenic patients, who were also interviewed using the UKU si de-effect rating scale; 50 unmedicated controls also completed the LUN SERS. 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=0.82 8, P<0.001). Scores correlated with chlorpromazine equivalent doses (r =0.310, P<0.02). ROC analysis demonstrated that the scale discriminate d between patients and non-medicated controls, who scored differently for real side-effects but not for 'red herring' items. Conclusions. Th e LUNSERS is an efficient, reliable and valid method of assessing neur oleptic side-effects.