Published in:
01-05-2013 | Original Paper
The Hunter Syndrome-Functional Outcomes for Clinical Understanding Scale (HS-FOCUS) Questionnaire: evaluation of measurement properties
Authors:
Ingela Wiklund, Mireia Raluy-Callado, Donald E. Stull, Yvonne Jangelind, David A. H. Whiteman, Wen-Hung Chen
Published in:
Quality of Life Research
|
Issue 4/2013
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Abstract
Purpose
This study was to conduct the psychometric validation of the patient and parent versions of the Hunter Syndrome-Functional Outcomes for Clinical Understanding Scale (HS-FOCUS).
Methods
Data collected in a 53-week placebo-controlled multinational trial were used to evaluate item performance and reliability, validity, and ability to detect change of the six HS-FOCUS function domains.
Results
HS-FOCUS was completed by 49 patients above 12 years old and 84 parents. Floor effects and high average inter-item correlations suggested that some items were less informative or redundant. For both patients and parents, the internal consistency and test–retest reliability met the >0.70 criteria for all domains except for the breathing, sleeping, and schooling/work in patients. Construct validity showed moderate to high correlations with CHAQ, CHQ, and HUI3 in activity-related concepts. Significant differences in domain scores were found in most domains among severity in disability measured by CHAQ DIS. Significant differences in HS-FOCUS change scores were found in patients whose CHAQ DIS score also changed.
Conclusions
Psychometric validation of the HS-FOCUS demonstrates it is a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument that can be applied in clinical trials or disease registries. Findings on the individual item performance suggest some items could be removed without compromising its validity.