Validation of the Hebrew Version of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale.

BACKGROUND: The Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) is a well-established tool for producing comprehensive assessments of severity and disability associated with dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The scale was originally developed in English, and a broad international effort has been undertaken to develop and validate versions in additional languages. Our aim was to validate the Hebrew version of the UDysRS. METHODS: We translated the UDysRS into Hebrew, back-translated it into English, and carried out cognitive pretesting. We then administered the scale to non-demented native Hebrew-speaking patients who fulfilled the Brain Bank diagnostic criteria for probable PD (n = 250). Data were compared to the Reference Standard data used for validating UDysRS translations. RESULTS: The different portions of the Hebrew UDysRS showed high internal consistency (α ≥ 0.92). A confirmatory factor analysis in which we compared the Hebrew UDysRS to the Reference Standard version produced a comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.98, exceeding the threshold criterion of CFI > 0.9 indicating factor validity. A secondary exploratory factor analysis provided further support to the consistency between the factor structures of the Hebrew and Reference Standard versions of the UDysRS. CONCLUSION: The UDysRS Hebrew version shows strong clinimetric properties and fulfills the criteria for designation as an official International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society-approved translation for use in clinical and research settings.

Single center experience with medical cannabis in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) experience reduced function and impaired quality of life. The current medical treatments for this syndrome can cause significant side effects and offer partial symptomatic relief. In a few small trials medical cannabis (MC) has been suggested to offer symptomatic relief with a relatively benign side effect profile. We conducted a real-life assessment of clinical benefit and adverse effects of chronic MC treatment among patients with GTS. METHODS: GTS patients treated with MC were interviewed via phone regarding treatment efficacy and side effect profile from chronic MC consumption. Global efficacy was rated on a Likert scale of 1-5 and side effects of treatment were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-Two GTS patients (33 males, mean age 34.5) were interviewed for this study. The total global impression score of efficacy was 3.85 out of a total 5 possible points. Patients reported during the free discussion part of the interview about reduction in tic severity, better sleep and improved mood as positive effects of MC. Thirty-eight patients reported any kind of benefit from treatment while 10 patients with more than one year of consumption elected to stop treatment with MC for various reasons including severe side effects as psychosis in one patient. CONCLUSION: MC seems to hold promise in the treatment of GTS as it demonstrated high subjective satisfaction by most patients however not without side effects and should be further investigated as a treatment option for this syndrome.