INTRODUCTION: A simple quality of life questionnaire was designed to triage patients with faecal incontinence to the most appropriate level of support, investigation and treatment. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed to include a 'symptom' score, similar in content to St Mark's questionnaire and a 'bothersome' score. A pilot study (34 patients) assessed the clarity of questions. Once content validity was established, it was sent to 360 patients who attended a pelvic floor clinic. Its external validity was assessed against the established standards of the short form 36 (SF-36) and the Manchester Health Questionnaires. Ease of use for these was assessed using a separate form. RESULTS: Of the 360 patients, 86 replied. The questionnaire was shown to be reliable both by measurement of its internal consistency and by test-retest analysis. There was a significant correlation between the scores of the new questionnaire and the Manchester Health Questionnaire as well as the SF-36. Divergence validity, assessed by correlating the number of pads used and the overall symptom score, was established. The new questionnaire was easiest to complete, taking on average 4 min. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that the new questionnaire is reliable and valid. It is easy and quick to complete and assesses both severity and impact of symptoms.
INTRODUCTION: A simple quality of life questionnaire was designed to triage patients with faecal incontinence to the most appropriate level of support, investigation and treatment. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed to include a 'symptom' score, similar in content to St Mark's questionnaire and a 'bothersome' score. A pilot study (34 patients) assessed the clarity of questions. Once content validity was established, it was sent to 360 patients who attended a pelvic floor clinic. Its external validity was assessed against the established standards of the short form 36 (SF-36) and the Manchester Health Questionnaires. Ease of use for these was assessed using a separate form. RESULTS: Of the 360 patients, 86 replied. The questionnaire was shown to be reliable both by measurement of its internal consistency and by test-retest analysis. There was a significant correlation between the scores of the new questionnaire and the Manchester Health Questionnaire as well as the SF-36. Divergence validity, assessed by correlating the number of pads used and the overall symptom score, was established. The new questionnaire was easiest to complete, taking on average 4 min. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that the new questionnaire is reliable and valid. It is easy and quick to complete and assesses both severity and impact of symptoms.
Authors: T H Rockwood; J M Church; J W Fleshman; R L Kane; C Mavrantonis; A G Thorson; S D Wexner; D Bliss; A C Lowry Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2000-01 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: T H Rockwood; J M Church; J W Fleshman; R L Kane; C Mavrantonis; A G Thorson; S D Wexner; D Bliss; A C Lowry Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 1999-12 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: Puja Khanna; Nikhil Agarwal; Dinesh Khanna; Ron D Hays; Lin Chang; Roger Bolus; Gil Melmed; Cynthia B Whitman; Robert M Kaplan; Rikke Ogawa; Bradley Snyder; Brennan Mr Spiegel Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2013-12-17 Impact factor: 10.864