Transition Dyspnea Index Medical Algorithm

Description

Mahler et al developed two indices for evaluating a patient with shortness of breath. The transition dyspnea index determines the shortness of breath after clinical interventions. The authors are from Yale University and the New Haven VA Medical Center.

Parameters:

(1) functional impairment

(2) change in magnitude of task

(3) change in magnitude of effort

Parameter	Finding	Points
functional impairment	major deterioration	-3
	moderate deterioration	-2
	minor deterioration	-1
	no change	0
	minor improvement	+1
	moderate improvement	+2
	major improvement	+3
change in magnitude of task	major deterioration	-3
	moderate deterioration	-2
	minor deterioration	-1
	no change	0
	minor improvement	+1
	moderate improvement	+2
	major improvement	+3
change in magnitude of effort	major deterioration	-3
	moderate deterioration	-2
	minor deterioration	-1
	no change	0
	minor improvement	+1
	moderate improvement	+2
	major improvement	+3

where:

• Provision was made for an additional response Z when change was because of a reason other than shortness of breath

• Improvement is indicated by the ability to do more work or to resume more activities or to have decreasing restrictions.

• Deterioration is indicated by the ability to do less work or to abandon activities or to have increasing restrictions.

total dyspnea index =

= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: -9

• maximum score: +9

• The lower the score the worse the patient's condition.

• A high score indicates clinical improvement.

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Description

Specialty

Objective

ICD-10

Transition Dyspnea Index of Mahler et al

Purpose: To evaluate a patient with shortness of breath after therapeutic intervention using the transition dyspnea index of Mahler et al.

Description

Specialty

Objective

ICD-10