This modified Rankin scale calculator assesses the degree of disability in stroke patients through a globally recognized clinician reporting model (mRS). Discover more about the mRS model and the structured questionnaire to be used alongside it below the form.
How does this modified Rankin scale calculator work?
This is a scoring form designed to assess disability in patients who have suffered a stroke. It is used in several occasions in time in order to check recovery degree in said patients.
In this modified Rankin scale calculator the patient’s situation is defined by one of the 6 categories, the higher the mRS, the higher the degree of disability, leading up to 6 which is death.
The actualized Rankin scale has been in clinical use for over 30 years and has in time become a standard in the assessment of stroke patients.
There have been studies showing the strong correlation between the score and physiological characteristics of the stroke such as type, lesion size and the degree of neurological impairment.
Understanding the Rankin scale
The original scale designed by Dr. John Rankin dates from 1975 as a clinician reported tool of disability, while the modified version commonly used today was set in 1988 by van Swieten JC’ s interobserver study. In time, it has become a widely used instrument in determining the clinical outcome in stroke clinical trials.
The mRS model is often used along with a structured questionnaire, aiming to discover the disability degree and the patient is presented with questions like the ones below:
■ Do you undergo any symptoms that are bothering you?
■ Are you able to perform your activities as you'd normally would?
■ Do you maintain your family, friend ties just like you used to?
■ Do you need help with daily household chores?
■ Do you need help during activities outside your home?
■ Do you need help performing basic personal hygiene activities?
■ Are you bedridden or in need of constant nursing care?
The use of such a structured interview with references to pre-stroke activities rather than task observation was said to improve the overall interobserver reliability of the Rankin scale in its description of the functional outcome in stroke patients and addresses the main criticism aimed at the model.
It is advised that medical professional decision to remain foremost important as well as other factors, such as comorbidities to be taken in consideration.
References
1) van Swieten JC, Koudstaal PJ, Visser MC, Schouten HJ, van Gijn J. (1988) Interobserver agreement for the assessment of handicap in stroke patients. Stroke; 19(5):604-7.
2) Rankin J. (1957) Cerebral vascular accidents in patients over the age of 60. Scott Med J; 2:200-15
3) Bonita R, Beaglehole R. (1988) Modification of Rankin Scale: Recovery of motor function after stroke. Stroke; 19(12):1497-1500
29 Jul, 2015