Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale
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Background Information
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The Aging Males’ Symptom (AMS) scale allows for a more quantitative assessment of testosterone deficiency (TD) compared to the ADAM score. It consists of 17 questions that have been well validated and aid in the diagnosis of testosterone deficiency. The AMS can confirm the presence of symptoms that are associated with low testosterone such as diminished erections, low desire, flushing and sweating. The AMS can also help differentiate the primary cause of erectile dysfunction e.g. low testosterone versus vascular issues. Patients with normal testosterone levels that have a vascular component still maintain desire, although they have a diminished ability to perform sexually. The output of this calculator will provide a summary of all responses and an overall assessment which can be very useful in writing a medical progress/clinic note.
Scoring:
The program will generate four different scores:
-
Total score based on all 17 items. Each item is
scored from 1 to 5 depending on the response with 5 being the most severe.
[Minimum score: 17. Maximum score: 85]
- There are three sub-scales (sub-dimensions) built into the form.
The calculator will provide a score for each dimension.
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Somatic subscale: consists of questions 1 through 5,
plus questions 9 and 10.
-
Psychological subscale: consists of questions 6
through 8, and questions 11 and 13.
-
Sexual subscale: consists of question 12, and 14
through 17.
Evaluation: A diagnosis of low
testosterone is made after confirming the existence of symptoms consistent
with TD and a sub-optimal testosterone level.
AMS scoring (total score):
< 26 means you have no significant symptoms consistent with a low testosterone
level.
27-36 means you have mild symptoms consistent with a low testosterone level.
37-49 means you have moderate symptoms consistent with a low testosterone
level.
> 50 means you have severe symptoms consistent with a low testosterone level.
Patients with a score of 27 or higher should have their serum serum
testosterone level drawn.
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Instructions
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The following questions refer to symptoms of low testosterone. Every
question must be answered and the response should be based on what symptoms apply to you at this time. For symptoms that do not apply, please
select
“none”.
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1. Decline in your feeling of general well-being
(general state of health, subjective feeling)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe
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2. Joint pain and muscular ache
(lower back pain, joint pain, pain in a limb, general back ache)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
3. Excessive sweating
(unexpected/sudden episodes of sweating, hot flushes independent of strain)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
4. Sleep problems
(difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty in sleeping through, waking up
early and
feeling tired, poor sleep, sleeplessness)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
5. Increased need for sleep, often feeling tired
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
6. Irritability
(feeling aggressive, easily upset about little things, moody)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
7. Nervousness
(inner tension, restlessness, feeling fidgety)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
8. Anxiety
(feeling panicky)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
9. Physical exhaustion / lacking vitality
(general decrease in performance, reduced activity, lacking interest in
leisure
activities, feeling of getting less done, of achieving less, of having to
force oneself to undertake activities)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
10. Decrease in muscular strength
(feeling of weakness)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
11. Depressive mood
(feeling down, sad, on the verge of tears, lack of drive, mood swings,
feeling
nothing is of any use)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
12. Feeling that you have passed your peak
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
13. Feeling burnt out, having hit rock-bottom
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
14. Decrease in beard growth
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
15. Decrease in ability/frequency to perform sexually
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
16. Decrease in the number of morning erections
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
17. Decrease in sexual desire/libido
(lacking pleasure in sex, lacking desire for sexual intercourse)
None
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Extremely severe |
Have you got any other major symptoms?
If Yes, please describe:
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Background Info
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References
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Heinemann L., Saad F., Zimmermann T. The Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale:
update and compilation of international versions. Health Qual Life Outcomes.
2003;1:15. [PubMed]
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