PANSS
Also written as: PANSS — Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
A standardized scale for measuring symptom severity in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Full Definition
The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is a 30-item clinical interview and rating instrument that evaluates the presence and severity of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and general psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders. Developed as an improvement over earlier scales, PANSS provides comprehensive assessment across three subscales and generates both subscale and total scores. The instrument is widely used in clinical trials, treatment monitoring, and research settings, with established reliability and validity across diverse populations.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize; specify whether referring to total score or subscale scores in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "PANSS scores showed significant improvement in positive symptoms following treatment initiation." — Clinical trial report
- "The patient's PANSS total score decreased from 95 to 62 over the 12-week study period." — Psychiatric assessment report