title: Reliability of the modified Rankin Scale applied by telephone.
abstract: We aimed to evaluate the reliability of the modified Rankin Scale applied telephonically compared with face-to-face assessment in clinically stable hospitalized patients with acute stroke. One hundred and thirty-one patients were interviewed twice by 2 certified nurses (unstructured interview). Half of the patients were randomized to be interviewed by telephone followed by the face-to-face assessment, and half in the reverse order. The median value of the modified Rankin Scale score was 4 (first to third interquartile range 3-5) by telephone as well as by face-to-face assessment (P=0.8). The weighted kappa between the two methods was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.88). Sensitivity of the telephone assessment was lower for scores 2 and 3 (17% and 46%, respectively) than for the other scores (range 67-90%). Telephone assessment of stroke disability with the modified Rankin Scale is reliable in comparison to direct face-to-face assessment.
authors.affiliation: SCDU Neurologia, AOU Maggiore della Carità and Università del Piemonte Orientale A. Avogadro, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Savio
authors.forename: Gian Luca Della
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Pietra
authors.forename: Elodie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oddone
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reggiani
authors.forename: Maurizio A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Leone
keywords: interview.; modified Rankin Scale; reliability; stroke; telephone