The Short Health Scale: A Simple, Valid, Reliable, and Responsive Way of Measuring Subjective Health in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Issue 7 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krarup, Anne L.; Peterson, Emma; Ringström, Gisela; Törnblom, Hans; Hjortswang, Henrik; Simrén, Magnus
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical gastroenterology. Volume 49:Issue 7(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: irritable bowel syndrome -- validation -- reliability -- responsiveness -- questionnaire -- subjective health assessment; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases; Gastroenterology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-0790

Abstract

Abstract : Goals: To evaluate validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Short Health Scale (SHS) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Background: Subjective health assessment is central when treating patients with IBS. The "Short Health Scale" is a quick 4-item questionnaire covering most aspects of subjective health that has been validated for inflammatory bowel disease. Study: To test validity, 451 patients with IBS (mean age, 38 y; 81% females) completed the SHS and questionnaires assessing IBS symptom severity (IBS-SSS), gastrointestinal (GI)-specific anxiety (VSI), and quality of life (IBSQOL). To evaluate reliability and responsiveness to changes, the questionnaires were repeated after 2 weeks in 18 patients, and after 12 weeks in 212 patients who had completed a patient-education program. Results: Validity was documented with (1) gradually increasing mean scores for all 4 SHS items with increasing IBS-SSS ( P <0.0001), and (2) correlations between the 4 SHS items and the corresponding items from the other subjective health assessment tools [item 1 (symptom burden): ρ=0.67, item 2 (daily function): ρ=−0.44 to −0.46, item 3 (disease-related worry): ρ=−0.51 to 0.57, item 4 (general well-being): ρ=−0.34 to −0.46, P <0.0001]. Reliability was confirmed (Spearman ρ>0.7 and intraclass correlations >0.7). Responsiveness was good with responders to the patient-education program (IBS-SSS reduction ≥50 points) having significant reductions in 3 of the SHS items ( P <0.05), and borderline change for the fourth SHS item ( P =0.06). Conclusions: SHS is a health measure that shows promising evidence of validity, reliability, and responsiveness in IBS patients. It is quickly completed and evaluated, which supports its usefulness in the busy clinical practice. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.