Validation of the Italian version of self-administered ALSFRS-R scale. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manera, Umberto; Cabras, Sara; Daviddi, Margherita; Vasta, Rosario; Torrieri, Maria Claudia; Palumbo, Francesca; Bombaci, Alessandro; Grassano, Maurizio; Solero, Luca; Peotta, Laura; Iazzolino, Barbara; Canosa, Antonio; Calvo, Andrea; Chiò, Adriano; Moglia, Cristina
• Is Part Of: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration. Volume 22:Issue 1/2(2021)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- ALSFRS-R -- King's staging system -- MiToS staging system -- telemedicine; 616.839
• DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1813307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-8421

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To validate and assess the reliability of the Italian version of self-administered ALSFRS-R, considering patients' clinical and cognitive features and caregiver's help. Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, by analyzing the results of 70 paired self-administered vs standard telephone-administered ALSFRS-R, we calculated overall score, single item scores, ALSFRS-R domain scores, King's and MiToS stage inter-rater agreement and reliability using different validated methods. We created the Italian version of self-administered ALSFRS-R following ENCALS recommendation. Results: Correlation between the two scales was 0.94 and no systematic directional bias was found. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was very high (>0.90) for the vast majority of the considered classification criteria, especially King's total score (0.96) and MiToS score (0.94). A higher ICC was found when the patients answered the questionnaire with the caregiver's help (0.95). Conclusions: Online self-administered ALSFRS-R scale is a valid tool to stratify ALS patients into clinical stages and to implement telemedicine monitoring.