TY - JOUR
T1 - Is a single-item visual analogue scale as valid, reliable and responsive as multi-item scales in measuring quality of life?
AU - de Boer, A. G. E. M.
AU - van Lanschot, J. J. B.
AU - Stalmeier, P. F. M.
AU - van Sandick, J. W.
AU - Hulscher, J. B. F.
AU - de Haes, J. C. J. M.
AU - Sprangers, M. A. G.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Purpose: To compare the validity, reliability and responsiveness of a single, global quality of life question to multi-item scales. Method: Data were obtained from 83 consecutive patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing either transhiatal or transthoracic oesophagectomy. Quality of life was measured at baseline, 5 weeks, 3 and 12 months post-operatively with a single-item Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS) ranging from 0 to 100, the multi-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-20 (MOS SF-20) and Rotterdam Symptom Check-List (RSCL). Convergent and discriminant validity, test - retest reliability and both distribution-based and anchor-based responsiveness were evaluated. Major findings: At baseline and at 5 weeks, the VAS showed high correlations with the MOS SF-20 health perceptions scale ( r = 0.70 and 0.72) and moderate to high correlations with all other subscales of the MOS SF-20 and RSCL ( r = 0.29 - 0.70). The test - retest reliability intra-class correlation for the VAS was 0.87. At 5 weeks post-operatively, the distribution-based responsiveness was moderate for the VAS ( standardised response mean:) 0.47; effect size:) 0.56), high for the physical subscales of the MOS SF-20 and RSCL (-1.08 to -1.51) and low for the psychological subscales (0.11 to -0.25). Five weeks post-operatively, anchor-based responsiveness was highest for the VAS ( r = 0.54). Conclusion: The VAS is an instrument with good validity, excellent reliability, moderate distribution-based responsiveness and good anchor-based responsiveness compared to multi-item questionnaires. Its use is recommended in clinical trials to assess global quality of life
AB - Purpose: To compare the validity, reliability and responsiveness of a single, global quality of life question to multi-item scales. Method: Data were obtained from 83 consecutive patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing either transhiatal or transthoracic oesophagectomy. Quality of life was measured at baseline, 5 weeks, 3 and 12 months post-operatively with a single-item Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS) ranging from 0 to 100, the multi-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-20 (MOS SF-20) and Rotterdam Symptom Check-List (RSCL). Convergent and discriminant validity, test - retest reliability and both distribution-based and anchor-based responsiveness were evaluated. Major findings: At baseline and at 5 weeks, the VAS showed high correlations with the MOS SF-20 health perceptions scale ( r = 0.70 and 0.72) and moderate to high correlations with all other subscales of the MOS SF-20 and RSCL ( r = 0.29 - 0.70). The test - retest reliability intra-class correlation for the VAS was 0.87. At 5 weeks post-operatively, the distribution-based responsiveness was moderate for the VAS ( standardised response mean:) 0.47; effect size:) 0.56), high for the physical subscales of the MOS SF-20 and RSCL (-1.08 to -1.51) and low for the psychological subscales (0.11 to -0.25). Five weeks post-operatively, anchor-based responsiveness was highest for the VAS ( r = 0.54). Conclusion: The VAS is an instrument with good validity, excellent reliability, moderate distribution-based responsiveness and good anchor-based responsiveness compared to multi-item questionnaires. Its use is recommended in clinical trials to assess global quality of life
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1023/B:QURE.0000018499.64574.1f
DO - https://doi.org/10.1023/B:QURE.0000018499.64574.1f
M3 - Article
C2 - 15085903
SN - 0962-9343
VL - 13
SP - 311
EP - 320
JO - Quality of life research
JF - Quality of life research
IS - 2
ER -