Dirk Dressler, MD, PhD
The DDS is an assessment tool to measure the severity of symptomatology in patients with cervical dystonia.
Patients are asked to rate their symptomatology in multiples of 5% on a scale ranging from 0% (no complaints) to 100% (maximum subjective severity of the untreated condition). Scores are documented by the patient in a diary on a daily basis.
The DDS has been shown to be a valid and sensitive tool to monitor cervical dystonia symptoms over time. Indeed, in a long-term treatment setting, a positive correlation was demonstrated between DDS scores and scores obtained using the widely accepted Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS). Furthermore, the DDS can be easily performed by patients on a daily basis, and as such may offer advantages over assessments that require attendance at a clinic.
The DDS patient diary, together with further information for clinicians and patients, can be accessed by following the link below. Please cite this link when referring to this tool.
References
Prospective Phase IV study
Principal Investigator: Dirk Dressler, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
Study funded by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Dressler D et al. Sustained efficacy of incobotulinumtoxin-A (Xeomin®; botulinum neurotoxin type-A, free from complexing proteins) in long-term treatment of cervical dystonia. Eur J Neurol 2011; 18 (Suppl 2): 482 (P2401)