Translation and psychometric testing of the Basque version of the SF-36 Health Survey

Serbian Translation and Validation of SF-36 for Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients with Diagnosed Arterial Hypertension

Precise estimation of life quality is of special importance in patients with chronic diseases, such as arterial hypertension. There are many questionnaires for that purpose. SF 36 with 8 domains has been proved as one of the most appropriate. To date, there was no translated and validated SF 36 in the Serbian language for hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to test validity and reliability of the SF-36 in Serbian patients with diagnosed arterial hypertension. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated to assess the internal consistency of the Serbian version of the SF-36. After deducting the overlap between each of the 36 items and its related domain, the collective validity was considered to be good if the correlation coefficient remains > 0.4. Only 2.54% answers to the questions were missing. The values of all 8 domains were higher in men than in women. Cronbach alpha coefficient was high for the SF-36, 0.897, and it suggests that the SF-36 had good internal reliability. All 8 domains showed high values of non-rotating factorial weights (>0.300) (range from 0.742-0.856), and all measure the same thing. It means that all components in this questionnaire measure the things they are assigned to.

Test-Retest Reliability and Validity of the Nutrition-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to test the Nutrition-Specific Quality of Life (NSQOL) questionnaire for test-retest reliability and validity in a sample of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

DESIGN AND METHODS

Test-retest reliability of the NSQOL questionnaire via two patient interviews and comparison of the NSQOL questionnaire to a comprehensive nutrition assessment performed by a registered dietitian nutritionist for validity testing. This study was conducted in one outpatient MHD center in Chicago, IL. Adults, aged 18 years or older, treated with MHD for at least six months prior to start of the study. A Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine test-retest reliability and a Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the 2 NSQOL questionnaires. Validity testing was done by comparing the NSQOL questionnaire to the most recent comprehensive nutrition assessment.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 17 men (63%) and 10 women (37%), with a mean age of 60 ± 13, who were mostly African American (63%) and Caucasian (26%). There was a significant correlation (P = .001) between the initial NSQOL interview and repeat NSQOL interview in all questions except for question 14 (P = .100). The NSQOL questionnaire was found to have excellent internal consistency with an α = 0.900. No significant relationship was found among total NSQOL score and age, dialysis vintage, albumin, or normalized protein catabolic rate; however, older participants had lower total NSQOL questionnaire scores. Although not statistically significant, there was variability between NSQOL questionnaire score and nutritional status.

CONCLUSIONS

The NSQOL questionnaire was found to be reliable and had high internal consistency in this sample of patients receiving MHD. The NSQOL questionnaire may be beneficial for monitoring nutrition quality of life changes in-between nutrition assessment intervals.

A review of the measurement properties of the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) to determine its suitability for use in an alcohol-dependent population

A psychometric evaluation of the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) was undertaken in contemporary studies to assess its suitability for use in an alcohol-dependent population. Three criteria were used to try and determine this: factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability. Factor analysis revealed that it is mainly consistent with a bidimensional model, internal consistency reliability showed that it consistently provided scores above the recommended threshold and test-retest reliability of the SF-36 highlights that it too provided higher than suggested scores. A conclusion was reached recommending the SF-36 as a reliable screening tool in an alcohol-dependent population, but this is given in caution as no studies were found analysing the instrument in this population.

Translation in Arabic, adaptation and validation of the SF-36 Health Survey for use in Tunisia

OBJECTIVE

To translate into Arabic and validate the SF-36 quality of life index in a Tunisian Arabic population.

BACKGROUND

No validated Arabic quality of life index is published.

DESIGN

Arabic translation of the SF-36 scale was obtained by the "forward/backward translation" method. Adaptations were made after a pilot study involving 22 subjects from general population. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by use of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was assessed by Spearman rank correlation coefficient (convergent and divergent validity), and factor analysis with Varimax rotation. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach alpha coefficient.

RESULTS

We note that 130 Tunisian subjects were included in the validation study. No items were excluded. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC=0.98). Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.94 conferring to translated index a good internal consistency. Expected divergent and convergent validity results suggested good construct validity. Two main factors were extracted by factor analysis and explained 62.3% of the cumulative variance: the first factor represented mental component, the second physical component. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.88 and 0.91 respectively for factor 1 and factor 2.

CONCLUSION

We translated into Arabic language and adapted the SF-36 scale for use in Tunisian population. The Arabic version is reliable and valid. Although the scale was validated in a Tunisian population, we expect that it is suitable for other Arab populations, especially North Africans. Further studies are needed to confirm such a hypothesis.

Reliability of short form-36 in an Internet- and a pen-and-paper version

Use of Internet versions of questionnaires may have several advantages in clinical and epidemiological research, but we know little about if Internet versions differ with respect to validity and reliability. We aimed to compare Internet- and pen-and-paper versions of short form-36 (SF-36) with respect to test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Women referred to mammography (n = 782) were randomised to receive either a paper version with a prepaid return envelope or a guideline on how to fill in the Internet version. A subgroup was asked to answer the questionnaire once again in the alternative version. Test-retest reliability was assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was calculated as Cronbach's alpha. The between-version test-retest reliability for the eight subscales were between 0.63 and 0.92. Cronbach's alpha for the two versions were all between 0.75 and 0.93 with minor differences between the Internet- and the pen-and-paper version. We found little or no evidence of a difference in test-retest reliability and internal consistency when we compared an Internet- and a pen-and-paper version of SF-36.

Measures in chiropractic research: choosing patient-based outcome assessments

OBJECTIVE

Outcome assessment normally used in research can support the therapeutic process by tracking patient symptoms and function and offering a common language to clinicians and researchers. This study's objectives were to (1) identify patient-based outcomes assessments used in published chiropractic studies, (2) describe a framework for identifying appropriate sets of measures, and (3) address the challenges associated with these measures relevant to chiropractic.

METHODS

This literature review identified and evaluated the most commonly used to outcome measures in chiropractic research. Instruments were evaluated in terms of feasibility, practicality, economy, reliability, validity, and responsiveness to clinical change. A search of PubMed and Index to Chiropractic Literature (from inception to June 2006) was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1166 citations were identified. Of these, 629 were selected as relevant. The most common patient-based outcomes assessments instruments identified were the Oswestry Pain/Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale, and Short Form 36.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of outcome measures is consistent with current national initiatives to enhance health care quality through performance measurement and can also be used to further the field of chiropractic health care research. Outcome measures are both a research tool and a means by which providers can consistently measure health care quality. Based upon this review, there is a wide range of outcome measures available for use in chiropractic care. Those most commonly cited in the literature are the numeric rating scale, Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Pain/Disability Index, Roland-Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire, and Short Form 36.

Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change on balance and ambulation tests, the 36-item short-form health survey, and the unified Parkinson disease rating scale in people with parkinsonism

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Distinguishing between a clinically significant change and change due to measurement error can be difficult. The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change for the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), forward and backward functional reach, the Romberg Test and the Sharpened Romberg Test (SRT) with eyes open and closed, the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), comfortable and fast gait speed, the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG), the Medical

OUTCOMES

Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in people with parkinsonism.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-seven community-dwelling adults with parkinsonism (mean age=71 years) participated. The Hoehn and Yahr Scale median score of 2 was on the lower end of the scale; however, the scores ranged from 1 to 4.

METHODS

Subjects were tested twice by the same raters, with 1 week between tests. Test-retest reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Minimal detectable change was calculated using a 95% confidence interval (MDC(95)).

RESULTS

The ICCs for test-retest reliability were above .90 for the BBS, ABC Scale, SRT with eyes closed, 6MWT, and comfortable and fast gait speeds. The MDC(95) values for those functional tests were: BBS=5/56, ABC Scale=13%, SRT with eyes closed=19 seconds, 6MWT=82 m, comfortable gait speed=0.18 m/s, and fast gait speed=0.25 m/s. The ICCs for test-retest reliability of SF-36 scores were above .80, with the exception of the social functioning subscale. The MDC(95) values for the SF-36 ranged between 19% and 45%. The MDC(95) values for the UPDRS Activities of Daily Living section, Motor Examination section, and total scores were 4/52, 11/108, and 13/176, respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Minimal detectable change values are useful to therapists in rehabilitation and wellness programs in determining whether change during or after intervention is clinically significant. High test-retest reliability of scores for the BBS, ABC Scale, SRT with eyes closed, 6MWT, and gait speed make them trustworthy functional assessments in people with parkinsonism. The SF-36 and UPDRS provide quality-of-life and disease severity rating values in the ongoing assessment of people with parkinsonism.

Measurement properties of the short form 36 and health-related quality of life after intensive care in Morocco

BACKGROUND

Intensive care patients have a health-related quality of life (HRQL) that differs from the normal population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement properties of the Arabic version of the short form (SF)-36 and study the HRQL determinants in adult patients 3 months after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

A prospective cohort study after ICU discharge. At 3-month follow up, the SF-36 was administered in consultation or by telephone. Multitrait scaling analysis was used to confirm the hypothesized scale structure of the SF-36. Reliability was tested using (i) measuring internal consistency; and (ii) the test-retest reliability assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient. Construct validity was tested by known-groups comparison using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

RESULTS

A total of 145 survivors answered the SF-36. Item internal convergency was higher than 0.40 (0.77-0.99; 100% scaling success) and item discriminant validity was perfect (100% scaling success) except for physical functioning (81% scaling success). Cronbach's alpha exceeded 0.70 in all eight scales (0.84-0.99). Test-retest reliability conducted in 73 patients was above 0.80. Acceptability to patients appeared reasonable although considerable interview time was required to administer the SF-36. Construct validity was confirmed by lower scores being reported by women, older age and a high level of comorbidities groups. When adjusted for background data, ICU variables were not associated with the SF-36 scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The Arabic version of the SF-36 appears to be a robust tool in ICU. Background variables are the only significant determinants of HRQL 3 months after medical ICU discharge.