PANSS

PANSS stands for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. It is a clinician-rated instrument used to measure symptom severity in schizophrenia and related disorders. Developed by Kay, Fiszbein, and Opler in 1987, the scale comprises 30 items that are rated on a 7-point scale (1 = absent, 7 = extreme). The items are grouped into three subscales: Positive Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, and General Psychopathology. Total scores range from 30 to 210, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. The typical administration requires a trained rater and can take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

The PANSS is widely used in clinical research and practice, including in randomized trials to assess treatment effects on symptom change. Its three-factor structure is commonly observed, though different factor solutions have been proposed in various studies. Reliability is generally high with proper rater training, and validity is supported by correlations with other clinician-rated scales and functional outcomes. The instrument has been translated and adapted for many languages, supporting cross-cultural research.

Limitations include the need for extensive rater training, potential rater bias, and the fact that as a symptom-focused instrument it may not capture all clinically relevant aspects of illness, such as insight or functional status. Researchers and clinicians often complement PANSS with other assessments to obtain a comprehensive view of patient condition.