Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire – CMI
A self-report instrument designed to collect a wide range of medical and psychiatric symptom data to assist in clinical evaluation.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire – CMI was developed by Kenneth Brodman, Albert J. Erdmann, Irving Lorge, Harold G. Wolff (1949). It is designed to measure Somatic and psychiatric symptoms. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 129 items organized into 12 factors/subscales: Section A: Eyes and Ears, Section B: Respiratory System, Section C: Cardiovascular System, Section D: Gastrointestinal System, Section E: Musculoskeletal System, Section F: Skin, Section G: Nervous System, Section H: Genitourinary System (Female), Section H: Genitourinary System (Male), Section I: Fatigability, Section K: Frequency of Illness, Section L: Habits.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Section A: Eyes and Ears | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 | 9 |
| Section B: Respiratory System | 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27 | 18 |
| Section C: Cardiovascular System | 28,29,30,31,32 | 5 |
| Section D: Gastrointestinal System | 33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54 | 22 |
| Section E: Musculoskeletal System | 55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62 | 8 |
| Section F: Skin | 63,64,65,66,67,68,69 | 7 |
| Section G: Nervous System | 70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77 | 8 |
| Section H: Genitourinary System (Female) | 78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88 | 11 |
| Section H: Genitourinary System (Male) | 89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99 | 11 |
| Section I: Fatigability | 100,101,102,103,104,105,106,107,108 | 9 |
| Section K: Frequency of Illness | 109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123 | 15 |
| Section L: Habits | 124,125,126,127,128,129 | 6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous Yes/No format.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 129. Interpretation guidelines:
- Minimal health problems: 0 – 10
- Mild to moderate health problems: 11 – 30
- Significant health problems: 31 – 129
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.