Reliability and validity of a newly developed PANDAS/PANS questionnaire
RESEARCH IMPACT:
“Reliability and validity of a newly developed PANDAS/PANS questionnaire”, introduces a validated, parent-report questionnaire for PANS and PANDAS that shows strong reliability in assessing symptom severity and comorbidities. The questionnaire provides clinicians a structured, symptom-focused tool to assess and monitor children with PANS and PANDAS.
SUMMARY
“Reliability and validity of a newly developed PANDAS/PANS questionnaire”, evaluates the reliability and validity of a newly developed PANDAS/PANS questionnaire intended to help screen and monitor patients with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).
The tool was designed to assess symptoms, severity, comorbidities, functional impairments, and the effectiveness of the treatment of PANDAS/PANS through parent-reported data at different stages of the illness. It consists of 27 symptom-based items grouped into ten domains, along with sections on disease course and daily functioning. The questionnaire was validated using a cohort of 65 pediatric patients and compared against three well known, validated questionnaires: the CY-BOCS (for OCD), ADHD-RS, and SDQ.
Internally, the PANS/PANDAS questionnaire demonstrated high consistency. Notably, the tool was found effective across all disease phases, highlighting its clinical utility in tracking symptom changes over time. This study contributes a standardized screening method for use in both clinical and research settings, addressing a critical gap in the structured assessment of these neuropsychiatric conditions.
LINK TO PAPER: https://www.ejpn-journal.com/article/S1090-3798(24)00105-3/fulltext
CITATION
Akita Bleibach, Camilla Birgitte Sørensen, Liselotte Skov, Karl Bang Christensen, Nanette Mol Debes, Reliability and validity of a newly developed PANDAS/PANS questionnaire, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, Volume 52, 2024, Pages 109-130, ISSN 1090-3798, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.07.008.