Measuring bothersome menopausal symptoms: development and validation of the MenoScores questionnaire

作者：Lund Kamma Sundgaard; Siersma Volkert Dirk; Christensen Karl Bang; Waldorff Frans Boch; Brodersen John

来源：Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2018, 16(1): 97.

DOI：10.1186/s12955-018-0927-6

• Questionnaire
• Scale validation
• Psychometrics
• Item response theory
• Rasch analysis
• Patient-reported outcome measures
• Menopause
• Menopausal symptoms

Background: The experience of menopausal symptoms is common and an adequate patient reported outcome measure is crucial in studies where women are treated for these symptoms The aims of this study were to identify a patient-reported outcome measure for bothersome menopausal symptoms and, in the absence of an adequate tool, to develop a new measure with high content validity, and to validate it using modern psychometric methods.
Methods: The literature was reviewed for existing questionnaires and checklists for bothersome menopausal symptoms Relevant items were extracted and subsequently tested in group interviews, single interviews, and pilot tests A patient reported outcome measure was drafted and completed by 1504 women Data was collected and psychometrically validated using item response theory Rasch Models.
Results: All questionnaires identified in the literature lacked content validity regarding bothersome menopausal symptoms and none were validated using item response theory Our content validation resulted in a draft measurement encompassing 122 items across eight domains Following psychometrical validation, the final version of our patient -reported outcome measure, named the MenoScores Questionnaire, encompassed 51 items, including one single item, covering 11 scales.
Conclusion: Menopausal symptoms are multidimensional with some symptoms unquestionably related to the menopausal transition We identified four constructs of importance hot flushes, day and night sweats, general sweating, and menopausal specific sleeping problems The MenoScores Questionnaire is condition specific with high content validity and adequate psychometrical properties it is designed to measure bothersome menopausal symptoms and all scales are developed and psychometrically validated using item response theory Rasch Models.

• 出版日期2018-5-16