Severeness of toothache and other symptoms as a function of frequency of occurrence and intensity

The relative severeness of toothache and two non-dental symptoms (headache, stomach complaints) was judged by men and women (n = 47). Each symptom was specified for two frequencies of occurrence (from time to time and regular) and two levels of intensity (minor and heavy). The methods used were paired comparisons and direct ranking of the 12 (3 X 2 X 2) verbal stimuli. Subjects were highly consistent in their pairwise choices. Agreement between judges was also highly significant. The overall ordering of the severity of the stimuli showed a perfect correspondence between the two methods. 'Heavy regular headache', 'heavy regular stomach complaints', and 'heavy regular toothache' were the three symptoms judged most severe. Headache, stomach complaints and toothache, specified as low on frequency and intensity, were judged least severe. Log-linear model fitting showed that the influence of intensity on the preference of a symptom is independent of the frequency of occurrence, and vice versa.