Riproducibilità del punteggio EDSS calcolato con un nuovo software dedicato rispetto al metodo tradizionale in uso

Introduction

The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the most widely used scale for the measurement of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been created and validated by Kurtzke in 1983. Its score is calculated on the basis of subscores assigned to 7 different functional systems, combined with a score assessing the subject's ambulation ability. There is a great intra-examiner and inter-examiner variability. Therefore, the use of an automated calculator can reduce measurement errors, variability and time required to obtain the final score.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective study aimed at validating an authomated calculation of the EDSS score by a software against the score obtained by four neurologists. The concordance between the score obtained by the calculator and the score obtained by the neurologists was assessed through the Cohen K statistic.

Results

A total of 96 MS patients, referring to the MS Centers of Florence, Orbassano (Turin) and Piacenza, were included and underwent a complete neurological evaluation. The scores of each functional system obtained by three neurologists were recorded. The distribution of data was normal (p = 0.016). The concordance between the score obtained by the three neurologists and the score obtained by the calculator was perfect (Cohen K = 1).

Conclusions

The EDSS calculator yielded a perfect concordance with the traditional way of calculation.