Validation of the Besta Neurological Institute rating scale for myasthenia gravis

Muscle Nerve. 2016 Jan;53(1):32-7. doi: 10.1002/mus.24911. Epub 2015 Oct 10.

Abstract

Introduction: We validated the scale for myasthenia gravis (MG) developed at the Neurological Institute Foundation of Milan (INCB-MG scale).

Methods: A total of 174 patients were evaluated with the INCB-MG and compared with the MG Composite (MGC) as the gold standard. Dimensionality, reliability, and validity of the INCB-MG scale were studied by principal component factor analysis, Cronbach alpha, and Pearson correlation coefficients; interobserver reliability was calculated by the weighted Cohen K coefficient.

Results: Generalized and bulbar INCB-MG subscales were unidimensional with excellent consistency; the INCB-MG and MGC scales were strongly correlated. Fatigability assessment was correlated with the INCB-MG generalized, bulbar, and respiratory subscales.

Conclusions: The INCB-MG scale is a reliable tool to assess MG and is strongly correlated with the MGC. The INCB-MG scale is a valid tool for every day practice and should be further investigated for its application in clinical trials.

Keywords: Myasthenia Gravis; disability; outcome; rating scale; validation.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / physiopathology*
  • Neurologic Examination / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results