SEVERITY RATING-SCALES FOR CIGUATERA FISH POISONING

Severity of ciguatera fish poisoning is often quite variable. Two symp tom check list rating scales were developed for quantifying illness se verity and for selectively monitoring response to therapy in patients with chronic toxicity. Content validity was ascertained, and internal consistency reliability was demonstrated by means of the Cronbach alph a correlation coefficient (alpha = 0.9475). It was concluded that thes e instruments were valid and reliable, and that they conveniently and accurately recorded illness severity and treatment efficacy. They shou ld prove useful in clinical settings and epidemiologic investigations.