Some diseases are represented using a staging and/or grading system to signify the severity, extent, or rate of growth of a disease. For example, chronic kidney disease is represented with five stages determined by level of kidney function.

Assessment scale requests

Generally, requests to add the most recent version of an assessment scale are accepted.  Updated versions of existing content are also accepted. Older versions may be added if justification is appropriate.  Older versions may also remain as active concepts due to the need to retain history on the use of specific instruments.  

When adding an assessment to the 273249006 |Assessment scales (assessment scale)| subhierarchy, also add corresponding concepts in the procedure and observable entity hierarchies:

For example,

• • X assessment scale (assessment scale)
  • Assessment using X assessment scale (procedure)
  • X scale score (observable entity)

Case sensitivity will most often be CS, except for the procedure concepts with descriptions beginning, "assessment using..."; these will use cl, Only initial character case insensitive.  

Do not change the US/GB spelling variants for standardized names. 

For example,

• • Do not add a GB spelling for World Health Organisation, as in 769390009 |World Health Organization Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (assessment scale)|, because World Health Organization is the proper name of the organization. 

A revised or modified version of an assessment is not a subtype of the original.  

Modeling

Concepts of the type |Assessment using X assessment scale (procedure)| are modeled with a proximal primitive parent of or one of its subtypes, as appropriate. A Method of Evaluation-action (qualifier value) is also added. 

For example, 

• •  has a parent of 

Concepts of the type |X scale score (observable entity)| are modeled with a proximal primitive parent of  or one of its subtypes, as appropriate.

For example, 

• • 165317007 |Mental disability discharge score (observable entity)| has a parent of 165314000 |Mental disability assessment score (observable entity)|

Relationship of total scores and subscores

Subscores are not subtypes of total scores, nor are total scores subtypes of subscores.  Thus, these concepts have sibling relationships. 

(See also Why is Content Rejected page, Proprietary Names for information about use of Questionnaire and Scale names)