Abstract

BackgroundVisual acuity alone has limitations in assessing a patient’s appropriateness and prioritization for cataract surgery. Several tools, including the Catquest-9SF questionnaire and the electronic cataract appropriateness and priority system (eCAPS) have been developed to evaluate patients–reported visual function as related to day-to-day tasks. The aim of this study was to validate Catquest-9SF and eCAPS in a Canadian population and propose a shorter version of each, in an attempt to extend their applicability in clinical practice.MethodsThe English translation of the Swedish Catquest-9SF and eCAPS were self-administered separately in pre-operative patients in tertiary care in Peel region, Ontario. Rasch analysis was used to validate both scales and assess their psychometric properties, such as category threshold order, item fit, unidimensionality, precision, targeting, and differential item functioning.ResultsA total of 313 cataract patients (mean age = 69.1, 56.5% female) completed the Catquest-9SF and eCAPS. Catquest-9SF had ordered response thresholds, adequate precision (person separation index = 2.09, person reliability = 0.81), unidimensionality and no misfits (infit range 0.75–1.35, outfit range 0.83–1.36). There mean for patients was equal to -1.43 (lower than the mean for items which is set automatically at zero), meaning that tasks were relatively easy for respondent ability. eCAPS had 3 items that misfit the Rasch model and were excluded (infit range 0.82–1.30, outfit range 0.75–1.36). Precision was inadequate (person separation index = 0.19, person reliability = 0.04). 78.8% of subjects scored≤9 (answered that they had no issues for most questions).ConclusionsCatquest-9SF demonstrated good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing visual function of care-seeking patients referred for cataract surgery in Ontario, Canada. There was some mistargeting, suggesting that the tasks were relatively easy to perform, which is consistent with previous research. On the contrary, eCAPS is not sensitive in differentiating patients who had impaired visual functioning.

Highlights

  • Cataracts are the most common cause of treatable blindness [1]

  • There mean for patients was equal to -1.43, meaning that tasks were relatively easy for respondent ability. electronic cataract appropriateness and priority system (eCAPS) had 3 items that misfit the Rasch model and were excluded

  • Precision was inadequate. 78.8% of subjects scored 9

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Cataracts are the most common cause of treatable blindness [1]. Currently, cataract surgery is the only effective treatment and is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in Canada and worldwide [2]. With increasing demand of cataract surgery, there is a growing need to accurately evaluate appropriateness for cataract surgery, determine prioritization on waiting lists, and quantify surgical outcomes. Ophthalmologists have used high contrast distance visual acuity and other objective clinical measures to assess appropriateness, prioritization, and outcomes. These “hard measurements” are critical, other factors are important to patients as well, such as brightness, contrast, colour discrimination, glare, and visual function as related to daily tasks [3,4,5]. Several tools, including the Catquest-9SF questionnaire and the electronic cataract appropriateness and priority system (eCAPS) have been developed to evaluate patients–reported visual function as related to day-to-day tasks. The aim of this study was to validate Catquest-9SF and eCAPS in a Canadian population and propose a shorter version of each, in an attempt to extend their applicability in clinical practice

Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.