Validation of Pruritus Measures Gathered with the Electronic Patient-reported Outcome System MoPat.

In order to improve diagnosis and treatment, physicians require information about the social context and quality of life of their patients. The Center for Chronic Pruritus at the University Hospital Münster achieves this goal using the electronic patient-reported outcome system "Mobile Patient Survey", which assesses pruritus and quality of life measures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the consistency and reliability of such measures. A total of 42 patients, age range 19-82 years, participated in the study and were asked to assess the measures at baseline via a paper questionnaire, and to use the "Mobile Patient Survey" at baseline and after 1 h in order to test reliability. Statistical analysis was performed using coefficient rc for metric variables and weighted kappa κw for categorical variables. The internal consistency of all measures was unaffected. It was shown that 6 out of 7 measures can be assessed without loss of reliability. It is recommended that questionnaires for electronic usage are assessed for validity and reliability.