Clinical Utility Score of Kain

The clinical utility score is based on identifying a variety of pertinent parameters in a drug regimen. Points are assigned for favorable or unfavorable features of each parameter. The clinical utility score is the sum of all the parameters. This can help guide physician and patient decision making.

Parameters for drug regimens may include:

(1) efficacy

(2) tolerability (absence of side effects)

(3) convenience

(4) causal activity

(5) cost

(6) contraindications for patient

where:

• I am not quite sure what causal activity is, so this will be left out of the implementation.

• The decision points are somewhat arbitrary and can be adjusted for the patient or situation.

• Convenience may involve the number of pills, the number of daily doses, the need to adjust diet, etc.

total score =

= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 5

• maximum score: 15

• The higher the score, the more attractive the regimen.

• Since masking can occur (a series of high scores may compensate for a parameter with an unattractive feature) the number at each level should also be tallied.