title: Rating scales to measure side effects of antipsychotic medication: A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients experience side effects during treatment with antipsychotics. This article reviews the clinical use and psychometric characteristics of rating scales used to assess side effects in patients treated with antipsychotics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Embase, with predefined search terms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 52 different scales were used in the 440 articles retrieved. For multiple side effects measured with one scale, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effects Rating Scale for Clinicians was used the most, whereas the Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale had the best psychometric characteristics (Cronbach's α 0.81 and test-retest reliability 0.89). The Simpson Angus Scale was used the most to rate extrapyramidal side effects, although the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center scale had the best characteristics (Cronbach's α 0.80, test-retest reliability 0.92 and inter-rater reliability 0.81-0.90). The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale was used the most to assess sexual dysfunction, but the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire and the Nagoya Sexual Functioning Questionnaire had the best characteristics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review will help researchers and clinicians make a purpose-oriented choice of which scale to use.
  CRD42014013010.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands a.v.strien@jbz.nl.
authors.forename: Astrid M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Strien
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Carolina J P W
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Keijsers
authors.affiliation: Hospital Pharmacy ZANOB, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hieronymus J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Derijks
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rob J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van Marum
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Rating scales; antipsychotics; application; side effects; systematic review; validation