Table 1

Brief screening test developed from six selected items of the Karolinska Scales of Personality

KSP question answered by participants
KSP scale containing the question
KSP Item #
Low vs. normal ATP production rate, Swedish subjects
Mitochondrial vs. control groups, American subjects

My heart sometimes beats hard or irregularly for no real reason.
Somatic Anxiety
34
10/14 vs. 0/7
P = 0.003
13/24 vs. 0/30
P = 3.7 × 10-6
I often have aches in my shoulders and in the back of my neck.
Muscular Tension
4
9/14 vs. 1/7
P = 0.031
12/24 vs. 1/30
P = 6.7 × 10-5
My body often feels stiff and tense.
Muscular Tension
33
9/14 vs. 1/7
P = 0.031
5/24 vs. 0/30
P = 0.013
I think I must economize my energy.
Psychasthenia
40
8/14 vs. 0/7
P = 0.015
6/24 vs. 1/30
P = 0.025
In order to get something done I have to spend more energy than most others.
Psychasthenia
53
9/14 vs. 1/7
P = 0.031
6/24 vs. 1/30
P = 0.025
I feel easily pressured when I am urged to speed up.
Psychasthenia
93
10/14 vs. 1/7
P = 0.014
2/24 vs. 1/30 Non-significant
(P = 0.42)

The numbering of items refers to the 135-items KSP questionnaire. P-values refer to chi-square or Fisher exact test values in participants answering as "Applies Completely".

Gardner and Boles BioPsychoSocial Medicine 2008 2:7   doi:10.1186/1751-0759-2-7