Contributions
Abstract: P822
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - 34 Quality of life
Background: We recently developed a short version of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality Of Life-54, named MSQOL-29 (25 items grouped in seven subscales, plus four single items) also available in electronic, self-administered form, with automatic scoring (eMSQOL-29).
Objective: To assess the acceptability of the eMSQOL-29 and its equivalence to the paper-based version.
Methods: Equivalence of the eMSQOL-29 was assessed on 223 adult patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis (revised McDonald criteria). Patients with exacerbations in the previous month, overt cognitive impairment, or any physical compromise precluding participation were excluded. We adopted a crossover design with random test order, by which patients completed both MSQOL-29 versions, in an interval of 2-4 weeks. After the second administration, they completed a short, ad hoc questionnaire assessing the acceptability and usability of the eMSQOL-29. For each of the 11 MSQOL-29 subscale scores equivalence was assessed by (a) the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, with 95% confidence interval); and (b) mixed effect model. The latter included the following independent variables: version (paper, electronic), order of administration, sequence (order per version), center (Milan, Orbassano), sex, age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS ≤2.5, >2.5) and disease course (relapsing-remitting, primary or secondary progressive). We also tested for the first-order interaction term sequence per age.
Results: Of the 223 MS patients enrolled, 210 (94%) completed the questionnaire in both modes (13 did not return the paper MSQOL-29). All the patients found the eMSQOL-29 well-accepted and user friendly.
Eight of the 11 of the ICCs were ≥0.70, with higher values for the multi-item subscales (median ICC 0.87, range 0.84-0.95) compared to single-item subscales (median ICC 0.63, range 0.52-0.76). MSQOL-29 version, order and sequence of administration did not affect subscale mean score in the linear mixed models (p>0.05, data not shown).
Conclusions: Equivalence of the eMSQOL-29 was supported by our findings, with slightly lower (but above threshold) ICC values for the single-item subscales. Acceptability of the tool was also good.
Disclosure:
Conflicts of interest:
All the authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Source of funding:
The Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (FISM) funded the study (Grant No. 2013/R/20 to RR).
Abstract: P822
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - 34 Quality of life
Background: We recently developed a short version of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality Of Life-54, named MSQOL-29 (25 items grouped in seven subscales, plus four single items) also available in electronic, self-administered form, with automatic scoring (eMSQOL-29).
Objective: To assess the acceptability of the eMSQOL-29 and its equivalence to the paper-based version.
Methods: Equivalence of the eMSQOL-29 was assessed on 223 adult patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis (revised McDonald criteria). Patients with exacerbations in the previous month, overt cognitive impairment, or any physical compromise precluding participation were excluded. We adopted a crossover design with random test order, by which patients completed both MSQOL-29 versions, in an interval of 2-4 weeks. After the second administration, they completed a short, ad hoc questionnaire assessing the acceptability and usability of the eMSQOL-29. For each of the 11 MSQOL-29 subscale scores equivalence was assessed by (a) the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, with 95% confidence interval); and (b) mixed effect model. The latter included the following independent variables: version (paper, electronic), order of administration, sequence (order per version), center (Milan, Orbassano), sex, age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS ≤2.5, >2.5) and disease course (relapsing-remitting, primary or secondary progressive). We also tested for the first-order interaction term sequence per age.
Results: Of the 223 MS patients enrolled, 210 (94%) completed the questionnaire in both modes (13 did not return the paper MSQOL-29). All the patients found the eMSQOL-29 well-accepted and user friendly.
Eight of the 11 of the ICCs were ≥0.70, with higher values for the multi-item subscales (median ICC 0.87, range 0.84-0.95) compared to single-item subscales (median ICC 0.63, range 0.52-0.76). MSQOL-29 version, order and sequence of administration did not affect subscale mean score in the linear mixed models (p>0.05, data not shown).
Conclusions: Equivalence of the eMSQOL-29 was supported by our findings, with slightly lower (but above threshold) ICC values for the single-item subscales. Acceptability of the tool was also good.
Disclosure:
Conflicts of interest:
All the authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Source of funding:
The Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (FISM) funded the study (Grant No. 2013/R/20 to RR).