BPRS
Also written as: BPRS — Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
A psychiatric rating scale used to assess the severity of psychotic symptoms and general psychopathology.
Full Definition
The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is a widely used clinician-rated assessment tool designed to measure psychiatric symptoms, particularly in patients with psychotic disorders. The scale typically contains 18 or 24 items (depending on the version) that assess symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, depression, and behavioral disturbances. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 (not present) to 7 (extremely severe). The BPRS is commonly used in clinical trials, research studies, and clinical practice to monitor treatment response and track symptom changes over time.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when referring to the specific scale. Specify version (18-item or 24-item) when relevant.
In Context
- "BPRS scores decreased significantly following antipsychotic treatment initiation." — Clinical trial report
- "The research assistant administered the BPRS at baseline and weekly intervals." — Study protocol