Modern Psychometric Methods Research Articles

Rasch analysis of the perceptions of palliative care instrument (PPCI) in patients with advanced cancer.

The Perceptions of Palliative Care Instrument (PPCI) is a tool used to access perceptions towards palliative care in patients with advanced cancer. However, its psychometric properties have not been widely tested using modern psychometric methods. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the PPCI in patients with advanced cancer using Rasch analysis. Four hundred and forty four Participants were recruited from the Department of Medical Oncology at a tertiary care hospital in Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China, between October 2020 and February 2021. Participants completed the PPCI. Rasch analysis procedures were conducted, including assessment of unidimensionality, model-date fit, rating scale function, differential item functioning, item-person map, and person and item reliability. The unidimensionality of the PPCI was confirmed, although two items (18 and 21) did not fit the Rasch model. The degree of fit of each item to its respective dimension was excellent, with Infit MNSQ and Outfit MNSQ values ranging from 0.73 to 1.33. The PPCI demonstrated high reliability, with an item reliability of 0.99 and a person reliability of 0.77. The PPCI is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing perceptions of palliative care in advanced cancer patients. However, to further improve the quality and applicability of the PPCI, the deletion of items 18 and 21 is recommended, as they did not fit the Rasch model.

Measurement properties and interpretability of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are crucial for assessing the impact of dermatological conditions on patients' lives, but the existing dermatology-specific PROMs are not recommended for use according to the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). We developed the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure in partnership with patients. It has strong evidence of content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, acceptability, and feasibility. To test PRIDD's remaining measurement properties and establish the interpretability of scores against the COSMIN criteria using classic and modern psychometric methods. A global longitudinal study consisting of two online surveys administered two to four weeks apart. Adults (≥ 18 years) living with a dermatological condition were recruited through the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations' (GlobalSkin) membership network. Participants completed PRIDD, a demographics questionnaire, and other related measures including the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). We tested PRIDD's criterion validity, construct validity and responsiveness (Spearman's ρ, independent-samples t-tests and ANOVA), test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (Smallest Detectable Change or Limits of Agreement [LoA], distribution-based Minimally Important Change [MIC]), floor and ceiling effects (number of minimum and maximum scores and Person-Item Location Distribution Maps), score bandings (κ coefficient of agreement) and anchor-based MIC. 504 patients with 35 dermatological conditions from 38 countries participated. Criterion validity (ρ = 0.79), construct validity (76% hypotheses met), test-retest validity (ICC = 0.93), and measurement error (LoA = 1.3 < MIC = 4.14) were sufficient. Floor and ceiling effects were in the acceptable range (< 15%). Score bandings were determined (κ = 0.47), however, the anchor-based MIC could not be calculated due to an insufficient anchor. PRIDD is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the impact of dermatological disease on patients' lives in research and clinical practice. It is the first dermatology-specific PROM to meet the COSMIN criteria. These results support the value of developing and validating PROMs with a patient-centred approach and using classic and modern psychometric methods. Further testing of responsiveness and MIC, cross-cultural translation, linguistic validation, and global data collection are planned.

Development and validation of the Dermatology Social Comparison (DSC) Scale.

Social comparison, the process of evaluating one's characteristics in relation to others, influences individuals' self-perception and behavior. However, instruments are scarce for assessing social comparison in the medical setting. Our aim was to develop and validate a new scale for assessing social comparison. Seven statements were developed, encompassing the perceived normality of having rashes, the tendency to compare their situation with others, and the emotional response when seeing someone better or worse off than themselves. The instrument was piloted in 15 patients for readability and face validity, then prospectively validated using modern psychometric methods in 1,053 adult patients with eczema or psoriasis from three tertiary dermatological centers in Singapore. Of 1,053 adult patients, 802 (76.2%) had eczema, and 251 (23.8%) had psoriasis. Exploratory factor analysis (using a 70% sample split) showed a single factor model comprising three questions (Eigenvalue: 1.4). Confirmatory factor analysis with the remaining 30% of the sample confirmed an excellent model fit. Cronbach's alpha was 0.7, and inter-item correlations ranged from 0.42 to 0.46. In the Rasch analysis, item fit statistics and item characteristic curves showed appropriate discrimination between response options, although reliability was suboptimal with a person separation reliability of 0.63. Comprising 3 questions, the newly derived social comparison scale showed acceptable psychometrics as a measure of social comparison for clinical and research purposes in dermatology. Its brief nature likely results from its brevity and applicability to conditions beyond eczema and psoriasis, which warrants further investigation.

Further refinement of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure using classical test theory and item response theory.

Existing dermatology-specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) do not fully capture the substantial physical, psychological and social impact of dermatological conditions on patients' lives and are not recommended for use according to the COSMIN criteria. Most were developed with insufficient patient involvement and relied on classical psychometric methods. We are developing the new Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure for use in research and clinical practice in partnership with patients. To examine the factor structure of PRIDD, determine the definitive selection of items for each subscale, and establish structural validity and internal consistency through classical and modern psychometric methods. Two cross-sectional online surveys were conducted. Adults (≥ 18 years) worldwide living with a dermatological condition were recruited through the membership network of the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations (GlobalSkin). They completed the PRIDD questionnaire and a demographics questionnaire via an online survey. We examined missing data and distribution of scores for each item. The factor structure was assessed using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis (Survey 1). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's α. Rasch measurement theory analyses were conducted, including iterative assessment of rating scale function, fit to the Rasch model, unidimensionality, reliability, local dependence, targeting and differential item functioning (DIF) (Surveys 1 and 2). Participants in Surveys 1 and 2 numbered 483 and 504 people, respectively. All items had ≤ 3% missing scores and all five response options were used. A four-factor model showed the best fit. PRIDD and all four subscales were internally consistent but showed some misfit to the Rasch measurement model. Adjustments were made to rectify disordered thresholds, remove misfitting items, local dependency and DIF, and improve targeting. The resulting 16-item version and subscales fit the Rasch model, showed no local dependency or DIF at the test level, and were well targeted. This field test study produced the final PRIDD measure, consisting of 16 items across four domains. The data triangulated and refined the conceptual framework of impact and provide evidence of PRIDD's structural validity and internal consistency. The final step in the development and validation of the PRIDD measure is to test the remaining measurement properties.

Psychometric Research: Modern Methods and New Opportunities for Education

Qualitative measurement is a fundamental requirement for research practice in the social sciences. The quality of measurements determines the validity of the interpretations, conclusions and decisions we can make based on the data obtained from the measurements. Qualitative measurement in the social sciences requires assessment tools as well as data analysis methods to link observed measurement results to theoretical attributes. The scientific basis for their development is provided by psychometrics.&#x0D; Preceding the special issue of the journal "Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow" devoted to psychometrics, the guest editors of this issue cover the main milestones of the history of psychometrics, highlight some significant publications, note the professional institutions and authors who have made their valuable contribution to the development of this branch of science. The authors pay special attention to the history of psychometrics in Russia. Assessing the possibilities, prospects and limitations of psychometrics, the authors express their point of view on the debatable issues of psychometrics, and it does not always coincide with the opinion of the authors of the special issue. This issue presents examples of using modern psychometric methods to solve actual problems in education research, as well as in research at the intersection of education and psychology, education and different spheres of business. All the authors of the presented articles are united by the desire to improve research practice in the social sciences through truly qualitative measurements.&#x0D;

The effects of advanced factor analysis approaches on outcomes in randomised trials for depression: protocol for secondary analysis of individual participant data.

Modern psychometric methods make it possible to eliminate nonperforming items and reduce measurement error. Application of these methods to existing outcome measures can reduce variability in scores, and may increase treatment effect sizes in depression treatment trials. We aim to determine whether using confirmatory factor analysis techniques can provide better estimates of the true effects of treatments, by conducting secondary analyses of individual patient data from randomised trials of antidepressant therapies. We will access individual patient data from antidepressant treatment trials through Clinicalstudydatarequest.com and Vivli.org, specifically targeting studies that used the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) as the outcome measure. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic approaches will be used to determine pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment models of depression, in terms of the number of factors and weighted scores of each item. Differences in the derived factor scores between baseline and outcome measurements will yield an effect size for factor-informed depression change. The difference between the factor-informed effect size and each original trial effect size, calculated with total HRSD-17 scores, will be determined, and the differences modelled with meta-analytic approaches. Risk differences for proportions of patients who achieved remission will also be evaluated. Furthermore, measurement invariance methods will be used to assess potential gender differences. Our approach will determine whether adopting advanced psychometric analyses can improve precision and better estimate effect sizes in antidepressant treatment trials. The proposed methods could have implications for future trials and other types of studies that use patient-reported outcome measures.

Psychometric evaluation of a national exam for clinical undergraduates.

As a high-stake national-level examination administrated before students' clerkship in China, the Standardized Competence Test for Clinical Medicine Undergraduates (SCTCMU) has received much attention from the relevant educational departments and society at large. Investigating SCTCMU's validity and reliability is critical to the national healthcare profession education. Raw responses from SCTCMU, answered by 44,332 examines of 4th-year undergraduate medical students on 300 multiple-choice items, were used to evaluate the quality of the exam via psychometric methods based on item response theory (IRT). The core assumptions and model-data fit of IRT models were evaluated, as well as the item properties and information functions. The IRT models were fitted to the observed assessment data, where all the required assumptions were met. The IRT analysis showed that most items had acceptable psychometric properties, and the passing score was located close to the lowest measurement error computed from the model outcomes. The proposed modern psychometric method provides a practical and informative approach to calibrating and analyzing medical education assessments. This work showcases a realistic depiction of the IRT analysis process and therefore facilitates the work of applied researchers wanting to conduct, interpret, and report IRT analyses on medical assessments.

Development and validation of the symptom burden questionnaire for long covid (SBQ-LC): Rasch analysis

ObjectiveTo describe the development and validation of a novel patient reported outcome measure for symptom burden from long covid, the symptom burden questionnaire for long covid (SBQ-LC).DesignMultiphase, prospective mixed methods...

Patient-Reported Measures of the Effects of Vision Impairments and Low Vision Rehabilitation on Functioning in Daily Life.

The quantification of vision impairments dates to the mid-nineteenth century with standardization of visual acuity and visual field measures in the eye clinic. Attempts to quantify the impact of vision impairments on patients' lives did not receive clinical attention until the close of the twentieth century. Although formal psychometric theories and measurement instruments were well developed and commonplace in educational testing, as well as in various areas in psychology and rehabilitation medicine, the late start applying them to clinical vision research created a vacuum that invited poorly developed and poorly functioning instruments and analytic methods. Although this research is still burdened with legacy instruments, mandates by regulatory agencies to include the patients' perspectives and preferences in the evaluation of clinical outcomes have stimulated the development and validation of self-report instruments grounded in modern psychometric theory and methods. Here I review the progress and accomplishments of applying modern psychometrics to clinical vision research.

Development and psychometric validation of the Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Inventory.

To date, no measures of sexual fantasies and behaviors have been tested using modern structural equation modeling techniques. A total of 4,280 adults from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Ireland completed a measure of diverse (paraphilic and normophilic) sexual fantasies and behaviors. Data were randomly split in half for a two-part analysis. First, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to reduce the item pool and determine general factor structure. Second, we tested several models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). These were followed by tests of measurement invariance (based on sex and sexual orientation) and criterion validity. For both the fantasies and behaviors, bifactor ESEMs were the most appropriate models. Similar specific factors emerged: (a) normophilia, (b) rough sex, (c) interest of intrusion, (d) assuming power, and (e) relinquishing power. Findings suggest that sexual interests show a hierarchical measurement structure. Males and nonheterosexuals had higher general fantasy scores; nonheterosexuals had higher general behavior scores. Heterosexuals generally scored lower than nonheterosexuals. Fantasy and behavior scores were positively related to Dark Triad traits and sociosexuality, and there were weak or no relationships with depression and anxiety. Results support the psychometric validation of the Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Inventory. Strengths of this study include a large nonclinical sample with relevant psychological correlates and the use of modern psychometric methods. However, the use of an internet sample with self-report measures may be unrepresentative, although the internet has the advantage of being able to recruit from stigmatized groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Modern Practices in Psychometric Test Construction and Validation: The Indian Scenario

Psychometric test construction and validation has come a long way in the past few decades. With the development of modern approaches to testing and applications of statistical softwares, this field of research has become highly sophisticated and enriched. The Indian scenario is however, a little different, pertaining to the acceptability of modern psychometric methods and their use in test development and validation. Although several new tests and questionnaires are being developed or validated in local cultural contexts, Indian researchers are yet to reach the state where psychometric test development and validation becomes a usual practice. Building a common platform for exchange of knowledge and expertise in psychometrics is highly recommended in order to facilitate such practices at a greater extent.

Asthma Daytime Symptom Diary (ADSD) and Asthma Nighttime Symptom Diary (ANSD): Measurement Properties of Novel Patient-Reported Symptom Measures

The Asthma Daytime Symptom Diary (ADSD) and the Asthma Nighttime Symptom Diary (ANSD) were developed to meet the need for standardized patient-reported measures of asthma symptoms to assess treatment trial outcomes in adults and adolescents. To determine scoring and evaluate the measurement properties of the ADSD/ANSD. Adolescents (12-17 years) and adults (18+ years) with asthma completed draft 8-item electronic versions of the ADSD/ANSD for 10 days alongside the Adult Asthma Symptom Daily Scales (AASDS) and a Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS). Using classical and modern psychometric methods, initial analyses evaluated the performance of ADSD/ANSD items to inform scoring. Subsequent analyses evaluated the reliability and validity of ADSD/ANSD scores. A demographically and clinically diverse sample (n= 130 adolescents; n= 89 adults) was recruited. Item performance was generally strong. However, items assessing chest pressure and mucus/phlegm demonstrated redundancy and poorer performance and were removed. Principal-components analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory supported combining items to form 6-item total ADSD/ANSD scores. Internal consistency (α= 0.94-0.95) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient= 0.86-0.95) were strong. Strong correlations (r= 0.72-0.80) were observed between ADSD scores and AASDS items assessing asthma symptom frequency, bother, and impact on activities. Significant differences (P < .001) in mean ADSD/ANSD scores were observed between groups categorized by asthma severity (PGIS), asthma control, inhaler use, nebulizer use, activity limitations, and nighttime awakenings. The ADSD/ANSD items and scores demonstrated strong reliability and validity. Implementation of the measures in interventional studies will enable the evaluation of responsiveness and meaningful within-patient change.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief: A National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Study.

The Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) is a commonly used burn-specific health outcome measure that includes 40 items across nine subscales. The objective of this study was to use both classical and modern psychometric methods to evaluate psychometric properties of the BSHS-B. Data were collected postburn injury by a multisite federally funded project tracking long-term outcomes. We examined dimensionality, local dependence, item fit, and functioning of response categories, homogeneity, and floor and ceiling effects. Items were fit to Item Response Theory models for evaluation. A total of 653 adults with burn injury completed the BSHS-B. Factor analyses supported unidimensionality for all subscales, but not for a total score based on all 40 items. All nine of the subscales had significant ceiling effects. Six item pairs displayed local dependence suggesting redundance and 11 items did not fit the Item Response Theory models. At least 15 items have too many response options. Results identified numerous psychometric issues with the BSHS-B. A single summary score should never be used for any purpose. Psychometric properties of the scale need to be improved by removing redundant items, reducing response categories, and modifying or deleting problematic items. Additional conceptual work is needed to, at a minimum, revise the work subscale and optimally to revisit and clearly define the constructs measured by all the subscales. Additional items are needed to address ceiling effects.

775Should pain scales be combined

Abstract Background Pain is often measured by asking people to rate their pain intensity at its worst, on average, and at its least, for the last 7 days using numeric rating scales. The three ratings are summed to produce a composite measure. The validity and reliability of this composite measure has not been examined using modern psychometric methods in any population. We examined the validity and reliability of this pain intensity measure for use with professional musicians, university music and science students, and university staff, all of whom had reported experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 7 days. Methods Data were collected using a questionnaire survey. The validity and reliability of the composite pain measure were examined using Rasch analysis. Differential item functioning was examined for age, gender, student status, musician status, and socioeconomic status. Results While the data fit one of the Rasch models, after several response categories were collapsed, differential item functioning was present. There was no solution found that fit one of the Rasch models, without differential item functioning. Conclusions Despite the recommendation for the three number ratings scales for pain to be combined, using Rasch analysis showed that this was not a valid approach for our study population. Our findings highlight the importance of using Rasch analysis to examine the utility of measures. Key messages Rasch analysis is a useful method for investigating the validity and reliability of scales. Combining pain ratings cannot be assumed to produce a valid and reliable measure.

Psychometric Properties of the Coronavirus Stress Measure with Malaysian Young Adults: Association with Psychological Inflexibility and Psychological Distress.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in multiple physical and psychological stressors, which require quantification and establishment of association with other psychological process variables. The Coronavirus Stress Measure (CSM) is a validated instrument with acceptable validity and reliability. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the CSM in a Malaysian population. University participants were recruited via convenience sampling using snowball methods. The reliability and validity of the Malay CSM (CSM-M) were rigorously evaluated, utilising both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, in relation to sociodemographic variables and response to the depression, anxiety, and stress subscales of the Malay validation of the DASS-21, and also perceived stress (measured by the PSS) and psychological flexibility (AAQ-II). The sample comprised of 247 Malaysian participants. The McDonald’s omega value for the Malay CSM was 0.935 indicating very good internal reliability. The CSM was significantly correlated with stress, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and psychological flexibility. The Malay CSM properties were examined also with Rasch analysis, with satisfactory outcomes. There was positive correlated error between items 1 and 3, as well as negative correlated error between items 1 and 4. Hence, item 1 was excluded, leaving with 4 items. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good data-model fit, and model fit statistics confirmed that Malay CSM showed a single-factor model. The Malay CSM hence demonstrates good validity and reliability, with both classical and modern psychometric methods demonstrating robust outcomes. It is therefore crucial in operational and research settings in establishing the true extent of stress levels as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reliability and validity of the Cancer Health Literacy Test - Chinese versions: CHLT-30-Chinese and CHLT-6-Chinese.

The Cancer Health Literacy - 30 (CHLT-30) and Cancer Health Literacy - 6 (CHLT-6) are widely used instruments to measure cancer health literacy and to identify individuals with limited cancer health literacy, respectively. This study evaluated the psychometric performance of both instruments in Chinese cancer patient population. The back-translation method was used in cross-cultural adaptation. Chinese versions, labeled as CHLT-30-Chinese and CHLT-6-Chinese, were administered to a diverse cross-sectional sample of 602 cancer patients. Of these, 30 patients retook the instruments over a 2-week interval to estimate test-retest reliability. Classical and modern psychometric methods were used to estimate the item and test properties. Model fit statistics confirmed the original measurement structures of CHLT-30-Chinese (one-factor model) and CHLT-6-Chinese (latent class model with limited and adequate cancer health literacy classes) providing construct validity evidence. The CHLT-30-Chinese showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.83; McDonald's Ω = 0.93) and 2-week test-retest reliability (r = 0.78). The CHLT-6-Chinese separated limited and adequate cancer health literacy classes well (entropy = 0.77) with the estimated prevalence rates of 19% and 81%, respectively. The CHLT-6-Chinese was highly precise in assigning cancer patients into two categories: limited and adequate cancer health literacy classes with probability of 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. Invariant measurement properties of both instruments were supported between male and female patients as well as patients with and without high school diploma. The findings support the psychometric properties of the CHLT-30-Chinese for measuring cancer health literacy as a continuous trait and CHLT-6-Chinese for identifying patients with limited cancer health literacy with high precision. The two tools are recommended for use in both daily practice and clinical trials.

Rationale and Design of the National Neuropsychology Network.

The National Neuropsychology Network (NNN) is a multicenter clinical research initiative funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH; R01 MH118514) to facilitate neuropsychology's transition to contemporary psychometric assessment methods with resultant improvement in test validation and assessment efficiency. The NNN includes four clinical research sites (Emory University; Medical College of Wisconsin; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); University of Florida) and Pearson Clinical Assessment. Pearson Q-interactive (Q-i) is used for data capture for Pearson published tests; web-based data capture tools programmed by UCLA, which serves as the Coordinating Center, are employed for remaining measures. NNN is acquiring item-level data from 500-10,000 patients across 47 widely used Neuropsychology (NP) tests and sharing these data via the NIMH Data Archive. Modern psychometric methods (e.g., item response theory) will specify the constructs measured by different tests and determine their positive/negative predictive power regarding diagnostic outcomes and relationships to other clinical, historical, and demographic factors. The Structured History Protocol for NP (SHiP-NP) helps standardize acquisition of relevant history and self-report data. NNN is a proof-of-principle collaboration: by addressing logistical challenges, NNN aims to engage other clinics to create a national and ultimately an international network. The mature NNN will provide mechanisms for data aggregation enabling shared analysis and collaborative research. NNN promises ultimately to enable robust diagnostic inferences about neuropsychological test patterns and to promote the validation of novel adaptive assessment strategies that will be more efficient, more precise, and more sensitive to clinical contexts and individual/cultural differences.

Urinary Stones and Intervention Quality of Life (USIQoL): Development and Validation of a New Core Universal Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Urinary Calculi

BackgroundUrolithiasis has a significant impact on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). ObjectiveTo develop a core patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) using modern psychometric methods to quantify the impact of urolithiasis and different treatments. Design, setting, and participantsAdult patients with urinary calculi, attending urology departments, covering all index categories and treatment spectrum, participated during different development phases. The pilot instrument was created from potential items (phases 1 and 2) within the conceptual framework. The instrument was pretested (phase 3) and then underwent psychometric evaluation in two parts (phases 4 and 5). Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe validity and reliability of the new PROM were assessed using Rasch measurement theory (RUMM 2030 statistical software) and traditional analyses. Results and limitationsIn total, 683 patients (median age 51 yr, range 18–92 yr) participated during different phases. The initial 60-item draft (five scales) was completed by 212 patients (phase 4). A revised 25-item draft was produced after removal of unstable items. In the second field test, the revised version was evaluated by 369 patients. This led to the final Urinary Stones and Intervention Quality of Life (USIQoL; 15 items) with summated logit scores. The PROM includes three scales: pain with physical health (six items), psychosocial health (seven items) and work performance (two items). Lower scores indicate better outcomes. Results demonstrate that USIQoL is reliable (r ≥ 0.8) and internally consistent (α ≥ 0.7), and has good construct validity (good hypothesised correlations, r > 0.3) and satisfactory sensitivity to change (p < 0.01). All scales demonstrated unidimensionality with good item fit and person separation indices. A limitation is that USIQoL was developed in the English language within the UK population. ConclusionsUSIQoL is a short, unidimensional, valid, and reliable PROM for assessing the HRQoL impact of urinary calculi and treatments. It is expected to serve as a core PROM across the entire spectrum of urolithiasis. Patient summaryKidney stones are a common condition for which various treatment options are available. The condition and treatments have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. This can be measured objectively using a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) developed using modern methods. We have developed a PROM that provides helpful and accurate measurement useful for all stakeholders.

Indonesian Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Validity and Reliability

&#x0D; Background and Objective: The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a seven-item uni-dimensional scale assessing the severity of COVID-19 concerns. A translation and validation of the FCV-19S in Bahasa Indonesia language was expedited in view of the worrying trends of COVID-19 in Indonesia as well as its psychological squeal.&#x0D; Methods: Formal WHO forward and backward translation sequences were applied in translating the English FCV-19S into Bahasa Indonesia. Indonesian university participants were recruited via convenience sampling online using snowball methods. The reliability and validity of the Indonesian FCV-19S was psychometrically evaluated by applying confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis in relation to sociodemographic variables and response to the depression, anxiety, and stress components of the Indonesian version of DASS-21. The sample consisted of 434 Indonesian participants.&#x0D; Results: The Cronbach α value for the Indonesia FCV-19-I was 0.819 indicated very good internal reliability. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the uni-dimensional factor structure of the FCV19S fitted well with the data. The FCV-19-I was significantly correlated with anxiety (r= 0.705, p&lt; 0.001) subscales of DASS-21. The FCV-19-I’s properties tested using Rasch analysis were also satisfactory, although three items in FCV-19-I were not able to be tested.&#x0D; Conclusion: Hence, the Indonesian FCV-19-I is valid and reliable, with robust psychometric properties from classical and modern psychometric methods. It can be a valuable and useful tool in identifying and responding to psychological distress caused by COVID-19.

Six‐month decline in language, but not other cognitive domains, identifies increased risk of conversion from MCI to AD in ADNI

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying people with MCI at greatest risk of AD conversion is an important research goal. Our objective was to determine whether changes in domain‐specific cognitive functioning over 6 months could identify people at greatest risk of AD conversion.MethodWe used modern psychometric methods applied to the ADNI cognitive battery to develop composite scores for memory, executive functioning, language, and visuospatial functioning. We considered scores at baseline and 6‐month visits for the 809 participants who had prevalent MCI in ADNI1, ADNIGO, and ADNI2, and characterized people based on quartiles of 6‐month changes in each domain. We used Cox models to determine whether 6‐month changes for each domain associated with risk for conversion to AD. We compared 6‐month changes to APOE genotype and the AD CSF biomarker signature, controlling for age, sex, and years of education.Result305 participants (38%) had zero bottom quartile change scores (most decline); 296 (37%) had one; 138 (17%) had two; 60 (7%) had three; and 10 (1.2%) had all four. Cox model results for 6‐month changes in all four domains without and with APOE genotype are shown in Table 1. There were 173 people with CSF results to characterize the AD biomarker signature. Cox results are shown in Table 2. Compared to people in the top quartile for 6‐month language change (most learning), people in the bottom quartile (most decline) were at increased risk of AD conversion, independent of APOE genotype and the AD biomarker signature. For 6‐month memory change, the hazard ratio for the bottom quartile (most decline) was attenuated when APOE genotype was included in the model, and it was null when the CSF biomarker signature was included. 6‐month changes in executive functioning and visuospatial functioning were not associated with risk of AD conversion.Conclusion6‐month changes in language identify people with MCI at highest risk of AD conversion. This effect is not explained by APOE genotype or CSF biomarkers. 6‐month language scores may identify people to target in AD prevention trials.