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The scoring scheme is simple,
i.e. the score increases point by point with increasing severity of subjectively perceived complaints in each of the 17 items (severity 1…5 points).
By checking one of 5 possible boxes of "severity" for each of the items the respondent provides his personal perception. This can be seen in the questionnaires.
The composite scores for each of the dimensions (sub-scales) is based on adding up the scores of the items of the respective dimensions.
The composite score (total score) is the sum of the dimension scores. The three dimensions, their corresponding questions and the evaluation are detailed and summarized here.
There are a few reports that normal values of the AMS
are age-dependent [21], [22], although the variation between 45 and 65 is not impressive according our own experience. However, this issue and the international comparison of reference values requires further attention
The development of the scale started with a listing of symptoms/ complaints and a comparison of more than 200 variables in more than 100 medically well characterized males (aged over 40 years).
A factorial analysis was applied to establish the raw scale of complaints or symptoms that are not particularly related to diseases, treatment, social and other variables, but related with aging. Statistical methods were used to identify the dimensions of the scale and to reduce the number of items of the raw scale.
Finally, three dimensions of symptoms/complaints were identified in the patients group: a psychological, a somato-vegetative, and a sexual factor that explained 51.6% of the total variance and the number of items of the scale could be reduced to 17.
This final scale was applied to a large representative population sample of 992 German males in order to establish reference values for the severity of symptoms in males over 40.
[21]. Jankowska EJ, Szklarska A, Lopuszanska M, Medras M (abstract). Male aging and educational level are strong determinants of the intensity of andropausal symptoms in men in poland. The Aging Male 2004; 7:17.
[22]. Jankowska EJ, Lopuszanska M, Szklarska A, Medras M (abstract). Hormonal determinants of andropausal symptoms in polish men. The Aging Male 2004; 7:21.
