Concurrent validity of the PROMIS® pediatric global health measure

Purpose

To evaluate the concurrent validity of the PROMIS Pediatric Global Health measure (PGH-7), child-report and parent-proxy versions.

Methods

Surveys were administered via home computer on two separate occasions (December, 2011 and August/September, 2012) to a convenience sample of 4636 children 8–17 years old and 2609 parents who participated in a national Internet panel. Data analysis included: (1) evaluations of differences in PGH-7 scores between groups defined by sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and access to health care; (2) associations with 15 PROMIS pediatric measures; and (3) correlations with two health-related quality-of-life instruments, the KIDSCREEN-10 and PedsQL-15.

Results

PGH-7 scores were lower for children with chronic conditions, Hispanic ethnicity, low socioeconomic status, and barriers to accessing health care. The PGH-7 showed excellent convergent and discriminant validity with PROMIS pediatric measures of physical, mental, and social health. The PGH-7 was strongly correlated with the KIDSCREEN-10, which assesses positive health, and moderately correlated with the PedsQL-15, which assesses problems with a child’s health.

Conclusions

The PGH-7 measures global health, summarizing a child’s physical, mental, and social health into a single score. These properties make it a useful clinical, population health, and research tool for applications that require an efficient, precise, and valid summary measure of a children’s self-reported health status. Future research should prospectively evaluate the PGH-7’s capacity to detect change that results from alterations in clinical status, transformations of the healthcare delivery system, and children’s health development.

     

Development and psychometric properties of the PROMIS® pediatric fatigue item banks

Purpose

This paper reports on the development and psychometric properties of self-reported pediatric fatigue item banks as part of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Methods

Candidate items were developed by using PROMIS qualitative methodology. The resulting 39 items (25 tiredness related and 14 energy related) were field tested in a sample that included 3,048 participants aged 8–17 years. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate dimensionality and differential item functioning (DIF) analysis to evaluate parameter stability between genders and by age; we examined residual correlations to evaluate local dependence (LD) among items and estimated the parameters of item response theory (IRT) models.

Results

Of 3,048 participants, 48 % were males, 60 % were white, and 23 % had at least one chronic condition. CFA results suggest two moderately correlated factors. Two items were removed due to high LD, and three due to gender-based DIF. Two item banks were calibrated separately using IRT: Tired and (Lack of) Energy, which consisted of 23 and 11 items, respectively; 10- and 8-item short-forms were created.

Conclusion

The PROMIS assessment of self-reported fatigue in pediatrics includes two item banks: Tired and (Lack of) Energy. Both demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used for research settings.     

Development and evaluation of the PI-G: a three-scale measure based on the German translation of the PROMIS® pain interference item bank

Objective

Study aim was to translate the PROMIS^® pain interference (PI) item bank (41 items) into German, test its psychometric properties in patients with chronic low back pain and develop static subforms.

Methods

We surveyed N = 262 patients undergoing rehabilitation who were asked to fill out questionnaires at the beginning and 2 weeks after the end of rehabilitation, applying the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Pain Disability Index (PDI) in addition to the PROMIS^® PI items. For psychometric testing, a 1-parameter item response theory (IRT) model was used. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses as well as reliability and construct validity analyses were conducted.

Results

The assumptions regarding IRT scaling of the translated PROMIS^® PI item bank as a whole were not confirmed. However, we succeeded in devising three static subforms (PI-G scales: PI mental 13 items, PI functional 11 items, PI physical 4 items), revealing good psychometric properties.

Conclusion

The PI-G scales in their static form can be recommended for use in German-speaking countries. Their strengths versus the ODI and PDI are that pain interference is assessed in a differentiated manner and that several psychometric values are somewhat better than those associated with the ODI and PDI (distribution properties, IRT model fit, reliability). To develop an IRT-scaled item bank of the German translations of the PROMIS^® PI items, it would be useful to have additional studies (e.g., with larger sample sizes and using a 2-parameter IRT model).     

Determining a transitional scoring link between PROMIS® pediatric and adult physical health measures

Quality of Life Research - Having independent versions of the PROMIS® scales (for Pediatric and Adults) is problematic as scores cannot be evaluated longitudinally as individuals move from...     

An examination of the PROMIS® pediatric instruments to assess mobility in children with cerebral palsy

Purpose

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS^®) provides adult and pediatric self-report measures of health-related quality of life designed for use across medical conditions and the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and validity of the PROMIS^® Pediatric Short Form and computer-adaptive test (CAT) mobility measures in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods

Eighty-two children with CP completed self-report (PROMIS^® Mobility Short Form, PROMIS^® Mobility CAT, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory?) and performance-based assessments of mobility (Timed Up and Go, Gross Motor Function Measure). Parents provided three proxy reports of child mobility (Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument, Functional Assessment Questionnaire, Shriners Hospitals for Children CP-CAT). Validity of PROMIS^® instruments was examined through correlations with other measures and “known groups” analyses determined by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

Results

On average, the PROMIS^® CAT required less than seven items and 2 minutes to administer. Both PROMIS^® measures showed moderate to high correlations with child- and parent-proxy report of child mobility; correlations with performance-based measure were small for the PROMIS^® Short Form and non-significant for the PROMIS^® CAT. All measures except for the PROMIS^® CAT were able to distinguish between GMFCS categories.

Conclusions

Results support the convergent and discriminant validity of the pediatric PROMIS^® Mobility Short Form in children with CP. The PROMIS^® Mobility CAT correlates well with child report and parent report of mobility but not with performance-based measures and does not differentiate between known mobility groups.     

Psychometric properties of the PROMIS® pediatric scales: precision,stability, and comparison of different scoring and administration options

Objectives

The objectives of the present study are to investigate the precision of static (fixed-length) short forms versus computerized adaptive testing (CAT) administration, response pattern scoring versus summed score conversion, and test–retest reliability (stability) of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS^®) pediatric self-report scales measuring the latent constructs of depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger, pain interference, peer relationships, fatigue, mobility, upper extremity functioning, and asthma impact with polytomous items.

Methods

Participants (N = 331) between the ages of 8 and 17 were recruited from outpatient general pediatrics and subspecialty clinics. Of the 331 participants, 137 were diagnosed with asthma. Three scores based on item response theory (IRT) were computed for each respondent: CAT response pattern expected a posteriori estimates, short-form response pattern expected a posteriori estimates, and short-form summed score expected a posteriori estimates. Scores were also compared between participants with and without asthma. To examine test–retest reliability, 54 children were selected for retesting approximately 2 weeks after the first assessment.

Results

A short CAT (maximum 12 items with a standard error of 0.4) was found, on average, to be less precise than the static short forms. The CAT appears to have limited usefulness over and above what can be accomplished with the existing static short forms (8–10 items). Stability of the scale scores over a 2-week period was generally supported.

Conclusion

The study provides further information on the psychometric properties of the PROMIS pediatric scales and extends the previous IRT analyses to include precision estimates of dynamic versus static administration, test–retest reliability, and validity of administration across groups. Both the positive and negative aspects of using CAT versus short forms are highlighted.     

Correction to: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of eight pediatric PROMIS® item banks into Spanish and German

Quality of Life Research - In the original publication of the article, two of the author names “L. A. Schröder, F. Metzner” and email address of the authors “J. Devine, J....     

Using the PedsQL™ 3.0 asthma module to obtain scores comparable with those of the PROMIS pediatric asthma impact scale (PAIS)

Background  

The National Institutes of Health’s Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) has developed several scales measuring symptoms and function for use by the clinical research community. One advantage of PROMIS is the ability to link other scales to the PROMIS metric.     

Psychometric validation of PROMIS® Anxiety and Depression Item Banks for the Brazilian population

Quality of Life Research - Scientific evidence indicates that depression and anxiety symptoms may be understood as risk factors associated with the incidence and progression of chronic diseases....     

Assessing responsiveness over time of the PROMIS® pediatric symptom and function measures in cancer,nephrotic syndrome,and sickle cell disease

Quality of Life Research - Previous studies provided evidence for the validity of the PROMIS Pediatric measures in cross-sectional studies. This study evaluated the ability of the PROMIS Pediatric...     

Welfare-related health inequality: does the choice of measure matter?

Using representative microdata from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), we show that the welfare measure choice has a substantial impact on the degree of welfare-related health inequality. To assess the sensitivity of welfare-related health inequality measures, we combine a unique set of income and wealth measures with different subjective, cardinalized, and (quasi-)objective health measures. The influence of the welfare measure is more pronounced when using subjective health measures than when using (quasi-)objective health measures.     

Psychometric properties of the PROMIS® Fatigue Short Form 7a among adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Quality of Life Research - To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System® Fatigue Short Form 7a (PROMIS F-SF) among people with Myalgic...     

Dutch–Flemish translation of nine pediatric item banks from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)®

Quality of Life Research - The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) is a new, state-of-the-art assessment system for measuring patient-reported health and...     

Psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) pediatric item bank peer relationships in the Dutch general population

Quality of Life Research - This study aimed to validate the PROMIS Pediatric item bank v2.0 Peer Relationships and compare reliability of the full item bank to its short form, computerized adaptive...     

Does the evidence support global promotion of the calendar-based Standard Days Method® of contraception?

ObjectivesTo scrutinise claims about the effectiveness of the Standard Days Method® (SDM). The SDM is a calendar method with similarities to the rhythm method that has now been reclassified and is marketed as a modern contraceptive method. As promoted, it requires users to avoid unprotected intercourse on days 8–19 of the menstrual cycle. It is used in at least 100 countries. SDM has been researched, developed, and is marketed by the Institute of Reproductive Health (IRH) at Georgetown University, USA, and a for-profit company Cycle Technologies. SDM proponents say it is a major advance on traditional periodic abstinence, claiming that it is 95% effective when used correctly — rivalling pills and condoms. The effectiveness claim is repeated in recent documents from the World Health Organization.Study designEvaluation of evidence obtained via literature review of published and unpublished reports.ResultsClaims made for SDM effectiveness appear to rely on a single efficacy study where “correct use" of SDM was defined as total abstinence from intercourse in cycle days 8–19. It may therefore be misleading to apply a 95% effectiveness figure from the study to SDM as promoted, where abstinence is not required. Moreover, “typical use” effectiveness figures, cited as 88%, are based on an unrepresentative sample of women using SDM in ways likely to vary from how SDM is used in practice.ConclusionExisting evidence does not support claims that the effectiveness of SDM as promoted is comparable to the best short-acting modern contraceptive methods. SDM is promoted in ways that may mislead users, by quoting overestimates of effectiveness and providing efficacy comparisons only with selected methods of contraception. Users should be provided with full and accurate information to make contraceptive choices.ImplicationsUse, delivery and promotion of SDM should be reevaluated. Meanwhile, SDM should only be offered to family planning clients as an adaptation of traditional periodic abstinence methods, requiring total abstinence in fertile days — reflecting “correct use" in the efficacy study — to achieve high effectiveness. Delivery of any form of SDM should include presentation of the full range of other contraceptive methods, including the most effective options.     

The stages of international (global) health: Histories of success or successes of history?

Abstract

International1 1. This paper uses the terms international health and global health according to general usage in the historical period under discussion. The term international health was likely coined in the early 20th century, emerging as the international sanitary conventions of the previous five decades gave way to permanent bodies addressing health concerns internationally. It was employed most prominently by the Rockefeller Foundation's International Health Commission (later Board and Division) launched in 1913. By the end of World War II, international health was in widespread use, but the new World Health Organisation (as a semi-independent specialised United Nations agency) crafted its own name around the unifying notion of ‘world health’. Still, the term international health retained its primacy. During the Cold War, the field of international health came to encompass the problems of health in underdeveloped countries and the efforts by industrialised countries and international agencies to address these problems. Global health – adopted broadly over the past decade – is meant to transcend past ideological uses of international health (as a ‘handmaiden’ of colonialism or a pawn of Cold War political rivalries) to imply a shared global susceptibility to, experience of, and responsibility for health. In its more collective guise, global health refers to health and disease patterns in terms of the interaction of global, national, and local forces, processes, and conditions in political, economic, social and epidemiologic domains. However, as Ilona Kickbusch (2002 Kickbusch, I. 2002. Influence and opportunity: reflections on the US role in global public health. Health Affairs, 21: 131–141. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) has argued, this ‘new’ global health has also been used to assert US ‘global unilateralism’ that is, a tailoring of the world's health agenda to meet hegemonic US national interests and undercut bona fide internationalist efforts. Notwithstanding the invoked distinctions, there is considerable conflation between international health and global health, and the ‘new’ definition of global health bears many similarities to early 20th century understandings of international health. health funders, leaders and researchers frequently cite ‘successes’ in this field as validation for past labours and justification for future endeavours. However, the question of what constitutes success – from both historical and contemporary perspectives – has been inadequately analysed. This paper reviews and periodises understandings of success in international/global health during the past century and a half, mapping out shifts and continuities over time. It then turns to the implications of these changing conceptualisations for current and future global health ideologies, strategies and activities. It concludes by arguing that historians of global health and policymakers need to interact further so that historians are exposed to the contemporary problems of global health and policymakers better understand the historical complexity of extracting ‘lessons’ from the past.     

How to measure the impact of premenstrual symptoms? Development and validation of the German PMS-Impact Questionnaire

ABSTRACT

With 75% of women of reproductive age affected, premenstrual symptoms are very common, ranging from emotional and cognitive to physical symptoms. Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder can lead to substantial functional interference and psychological distress comparable to that of dysthymic disorders. The assessment of this impact is required as a part of the diagnostic procedure in the DSM-5. In the absence of a specific measure, the authors developed the PMS-Impact Questionnaire. A sample of 101 women reporting severe premenstrual complaints was assessed with the twenty-two items in the questionnaire during their premenstrual phase in an ongoing intervention study at the Philipps-University Marburg from August 2013 until January 2015. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution (labeled Psychological Impact and Functional Impact) with 18 items. A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90 for Psychological Impact and of 0.90 for Functional Impact indicated good reliability. Convergent construct validity was demonstrated by moderate to high correlations with the Pain Disability Index. Low correlations with the Big Five Inventory-10 indicated good divergent validity. The PMS-Impact Questionnaire was found to be a valid, reliable, and an economic measure to assess the impact of premenstrual symptoms. In future research, cross validations and confirmatory factor analyses should be conducted.