title: The Oculobulbar Facial Respiratory score is a tool to assess bulbar function in myasthenia gravis patients.
abstract: The Oculobulbar Facial Respiratory (OBFR) score is a tool that objectively measures bulbar function in myasthenia gravis (MG). In this study, we analyzed the relation between the OBFR and the MG Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score, and also with the more recently described MG Composite and 15-item MG Quality-of-Life (MG-QOL15) scales. We recruited 42 patients from two centers and assessed them on two occasions, approximately 6 months apart, using the OBFR, MG Composite, MG-ADL, and MG-QOL15 scales. The 'modified' OBFR score was derived from the original OBFR score. The OBFR score correlated significantly with the MG Composite, MG-ADL, and MG-QOL15 scores for both assessments, and with the sum of the bulbar items for all three scores. It also correlated strongly with the individual bulbar-related items of all three scores. The 'modified' OBFR score also correlated significantly with all the aforementioned scores. This study confirmed construct validity of the OBFR and 'modified' OBFR scores.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK. m.e.farrugia@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.forename: Heather D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Harle
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.forename: Ted M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological / Q000592:standards; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies