Response to M. Boers’ concerns about spydergrams

Abstract

M. Boers in his discussion of the use of “spydergrams” to simultaneously display the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) domain scores makes a number of cogent observations about both the heuristic utility of this graphical representation and raises cautions about the possibility of their misinterpretation. Some of his concerns are generic, in that they could apply to any graphical representation of data—but specific reservations about spydergrams in particular are expressed. Given that spydergrams have proven a powerful tool for depicting and comparing the complex sets of self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) data, it is important to clarify their strengths as graphical representations and clarify recommendations for their legitimate interpretation.