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Abstract

BackgroundThe current paper reviews data from different sources to get a closer impression on the psychometric and other methodological characteristics of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale gathered recently. The scale was designed and standardized as self-administered scale to (a) to assess symptoms of aging (independent from those which are disease-related) between groups of males under different conditions, (b) to evaluate the severity of symptoms over time, and (c) to measure changes pre- and post androgen replacement therapy. The scale is in widespread use (14 languages).MethodOriginal data from different studies in many countries were centrally analysed to evaluate reliability and validity of the AMS.ResultsReliability measures (consistency and test-retest stability) were found to be good across countries, although the sample size was sometimes small.Validity: The internal structure of the AMS in healthy and androgen deficient males, and across countries was sufficiently similar to conclude that the scale really measures the same phenomenon. The sub-scores and total score correlations were high (0.8–0.9) but lower among the sub-scales (0.5–0.7). This however suggests that the subscales are not fully independent.The comparison with other scales for aging males or screening instruments for androgen deficiency showed sufficiently good correlations, illustrating a good criterion-oriented validity. The same is true for the comparison with the generic quality-of-life scale SF36 where also high correlation coefficients have been shown.Methodological analyses of a treatment study of symptomatic males with testosterone demonstrated the ability of the AMS scale to measure treatment effect, irrespective of the severity of complaints before therapy. It was also shown that the AMS result can predict the independently generated (physician's) opinion about the individual treatment effect.ConclusionThe currently available methodological evidence points towards a high quality of the AMS scale to measure and to compare HRQoL of aging males over time or before/after treatment, it suggests a high reliability and high validity as far as the process of construct validation could be pressed ahead yet. But certainly more data will become available, particularly from ongoing clinical studies.

Exercise improves the effects of testosterone replacement therapy and the durability of response after cessation of treatment: a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…To determine the clinical efficacy of treatment, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire, which were translated into Korean and validated for use in our population, 9 10 were administered to patients at baseline and at weeks 12 and 20. Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) questions 2 (“Were you able to insert your penis into your partner's vagina?”) and 3 (“Did your erection last long enough for you to have a successful intercourse?”) were also administered to patients at baseline and at 12 and 20 weeks.…”

The correlation between emotional distress and aging males’ symptoms at a psychiatric outpatient clinic: sexual dysfunction as a distinguishing characteristic between andropause and anxiety/depression in aging men

“…This 17-item self-administered questionnaire is the best studied and validated questionnaire to help assess the severity of symptoms of aging males and the QoL in men >40 years of age 13,16. The scale has been validated internationally with a standard translation of the Chinese version 12.…”

“…First, the validity and reliability of the AMS scale had been established in Taiwan 12. Second, the internal structure of the AMS scale across other countries has been sufficiently similar to conclude that the scale measures the same phenomenon in varying contexts 13. Third, the AMS scale was developed in response to the lack of a standardized scale14 such as the androgen deficiency in aging males questionnaire.…”

Hormonal determinants of the severity of andropausal and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly men with prediabetes

“…Data on the intensity of andropausal symptoms were assessed using the AMS rating scale. 18 The AMS scale includes 17 symptoms divided into three groups: psychological (discouraged, depressed, irritable, anxious, and nervous); sexual (disturbed potency, impaired erectility, problems with libido, decrease in beard growth, and feeling of “having passed the zenith of life”); and somatovegetative (joint and muscle complaints, sweating, need for more sleep, sleep disturbances, weakness, exhaustion, and impaired well-being). The intensity of each symptom was rated between one (low) and five points (high).…”