AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to extend the scope of application of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7) with the objective of assessing the applicability, validity, reliability and sensitivity of the IIQ-7 in both Chinese males and females with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
METHODS: The validity, reliability and sensitivity were assessed in 233 patients who were recruited in Hong Kong primary-care settings. The internal construct validity was assessed by corrected item-total correlation. The convergent validity was assessed using Pearson's correlation test against International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) quality-of-life question and Short Form 12, version 2 (SF-12v2). The reliability was assessed by the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) and 2-week test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient and paired t test). The sensitivity was determined by performing known group comparisons by independent t test.
RESULTS: Corrected item-total correlations were ≥0.4 for all items in males and females. Overall, the IIQ-7 total score had a stronger correlation with IPSS quality-of-life score than the SF-12v2. The IIQ-7 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient >0.7) and good test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.8, paired t test p value >0.05). The IIQ-7 was more sensitive than the SF-12v2 to detect differences among patients with different levels of symptom severity.
CONCLUSIONS: The IIQ-7 Chinese version appears to be a valid and reliable measure to assessCantonese-speaking males and females with LUTS. The IIQ-7 is more sensitive than generic health-related quality-of-life measures to detect differences between groups.
Written by:
Choi EP, Lam CL, Chin WY. Are you the author?
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F., 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.
Reference: Patient. 2014 May 28. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1007/s40271-014-0062-3
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24866274
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