Global Assessment of Functioning

The Global Assessment of Function (GAF) is Axis 5 in DSM-IV multi-axial classification (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). It is similar to the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), which has separate adult and child (C-GAS Shaffer et ah, 1983) versions. The GAF has anchors with examples for both adults and children... 

Functional improvement can be measured using several rating scales, such as a score <70 in the Global Assessment of Function (GAF) Scale (GAF) (DSM-IV American Psychiatric Association, 1994a) or the Children s Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS) (Shaffer et ah, 1983). 

D. How severe or impairing is the anxiety disorder Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) Global Assessment of Function (GAF)... 

An independent cross-sectional survey, not sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, in schizophrenic outpatients clinically stabilized on a neuroleptic drug for a period of 6 months showed that quality-of-life measures and Global Assessment of Functioning did not differ significantly in patients taking typical neuroleptic drugs (n = 44) and novel ones (risperidone, n = 50 olanzapine, n = 48 quetia-pine, n = 42 clozapine, n = 46) (42). 

The aim of another study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (n = 34), schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type (n = 30), or bipolar disorder with psychotic features (n = 37), who were treated with clozapine in flexible doses over 48 months (16). After this time, Global Assessment of Functioning scores were improved in all three groups, with significantly greater improvement in the bipolar disorder group compared with the others ... 

DSM-TV-TR Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Text Revision EPS extrapyramidal side effect GAP global assessment of functioning HAMD Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression IMC information-memory-concentration (test)... 

Axis V Global assessment of functioning (GAF), scored on a descending scale of 100 to 1, where 100 represents superior functioning, 50 represents serious symptoms, and 10 represents persistent danger of hurting self or others... 

All patients were monosensitized with a persistence of symptoms despite action to eliminate mites and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Patients were included after an 8-week observation period which made it possible to determine the lowest effective dose of budesonide, with the performance of skin tests, lung function tests and a methacholine bronchial challenge test. The efficacy criteria were the medication and symptom scores, global assessment of the patient by the physician, skin tests and total IgE, lung function tests and the methacholine bronchial challenge test. 

In summary, the author advocates that the finite element models for cardiac analyses should be applied for regional studies while the idealized models should remain as effective tools for global assessments of the cardiac performance and functional reserves. 

There are several approaches and methods to conducting a nutrition assessment, but one approach that has been validated is the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA).1 Application of the SGA requires gathering the data just listed and assessing these parameters (i.e., weight change, change in diet, GI symptoms, functional capacity, and physical examination)... 

The fact that the microbubbles are restricted to the vascular space makes them ideal for contrast echocardiography and vascular imaging. Echocardiography is used extensively to assess ischemic heart disease. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography improves visualization of the cavities of the heart, the lumen of arteries and veins, and small vessels within solid organs and perfused tissues. Effective endocardial border delineation allows assessment of global heart function and the detection of coronary insufficiency (Fig. 12). 

The Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS) (Bird and Gould, 1995) is a 17-item scale that differs from the CGI not only in length, but also in focusing on impairment of function rather than global pathology and function. It assesses how well the patient carries out daily activities appropriate for age or mental age. It can be filled out by the clinician or caregiver. 

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