Development and Validation of the Lupus Impact Tracker: A Patient‐Completed Tool for Clinical Practice to Assess and Monitor the Impact of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Issue 10 (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jolly, Meenakshi; Garris, Cindy P.; Mikolaitis, Rachel A.; Jhingran, Priti M.; Dennis, Greg; Wallace, Daniel J.; Clarke, Ann; Dooley, Mary Anne; Parke, Ann; Strand, Vibeke; Alárcon, Graciela S.; Kosinski, Mark
• Is Part Of: Arthritis care & research. Volume 66:Issue 10(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1542
• Page End: 1550
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Arthritis -- Periodicals; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.72
• DOI: 10.1002/acr.22349
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2151-464X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="acr22349-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To derive and validate a brief patient‐completed instrument, the Lupus Impact Tracker (LIT), to assess and monitor the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p> </sec> <sec id="acr22349-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Items for the LIT were selected from the LupusPRO, a validated patient‐reported outcomes measure, using 3 approaches: confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), stepwise regression, and patient focus groups. CFA was conducted to find items from the LupusPRO that fit a unidimensional structure to allow scoring as a single index. Stepwise regression methods identified items with the strongest relationship (convergent validity) with disease activity measures and patient health rating. Focus groups (n = 26 patients) identified the most important items describing SLE impact. Selected items were evaluated for reliability and validity.</p> </sec> <sec id="acr22349-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>CFA found 21 items that fit a unidimensional structure. Stepwise regressions identified 15 of 21 items having good convergent validity with clinical measures. Patient focus groups identified 9 of 15 items as best capturing the impact of SLE. Overall, 7 items were selected across all 3 approaches (CFA, stepwise regression, and focus groups). Another 15 items were selected across 2 approaches. Through consensus with rheumatology clinician experts, a final set of 10 items was selected for the LIT. The LIT items showed good internal consistency (0.89) and test–retest reliabilities (0.87). Mean LIT scores differed significantly (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05) across criterion groups in the hypothesized direction, providing evidence of discriminant validity and responsiveness.</p> </sec> <sec id="acr22349-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The LIT is reliable and valid in SLE patients and offers a practical way for physicians and patients to assess and monitor the impact of SLE.</p> </sec> </abstract>