Abstract
BackgroundThe central sensitization inventory (CSI) comprises 25 items and is commonly used to measure somatic and emotional symptoms related to central sensitization symptoms. CSI was developed as an easy-to-administer screening instrument for patients at high risk of developing central sensitization in whom it was essential to quickly evaluate the condition. The purpose of the present study was to develop a short form of CSI and evaluate its psychometric properties using a contemporary approach called Rasch analysis.MethodsA total of 505 patients with musculoskeletal disorders were recruited in this study. The CSI, pain intensity, pain interference, and the health-related quality of life (QOL) were evaluated for each participant. The original CSI items were consecutively analyzed using the Rasch model. Successive Rasch analyses were performed until a final set of items satisfied the model fit requirements. We also analyzed the psychometric properties of the original and short forms of CSI.ResultsFour consecutive Rasch analyses identified the removable items. Finally, the shortest questionnaire obtained that maintained the correct psychometric properties based on the Rasch model contained only 9 items (CSI-9). Rasch analysis showed that the CSI-9 had acceptable internal consistency, exhibited unidimensionality, had no notable differential item functioning, and was functional on the category rating scale.ConclusionsThe nine-item short form of CSI has acceptable psychometric properties and is suitable for use for patients with musculoskeletal pain. Thus, the CSI-9 can be used as a brief instrument to evaluate central sensitization.
Highlights
The International Association for the Study of Pain defines central sensitization (CS) as an increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system to normal or subthreshold afferent input [1]
The shortest questionnaire obtained that maintained the correct psychometric properties based on the Rasch model contained only 9 items (CSI-9)
Rasch analysis showed that the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI)-9 had acceptable internal consistency, exhibited unidimensionality, had no notable differential item functioning, and was functional on the category rating scale
Summary
The International Association for the Study of Pain defines central sensitization (CS) as an increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system to normal or subthreshold afferent input [1]. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was developed as a screening instrument for CS-related symptoms [7]. A higher CSI score is associated with pain-related outcomes [10, 11] and increase in levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor [12], which contributes to both induction and maintenance of CS [13], and predicts poor long-term postoperative outcomes [14,15]. The central sensitization inventory (CSI) comprises 25 items and is commonly used to measure somatic and emotional symptoms related to central sensitization symptoms. CSI was developed as an easy-to-administer screening instrument for patients at high risk of developing central sensitization in whom it was essential to quickly evaluate the condition. The purpose of the present study was to develop a short form of CSI and evaluate its psychometric properties using a contemporary approach called Rasch analysis
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