Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2004):

The use of Visual Analog Scale in urogynecologic research: a psychometric evaluation.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of Visual Analog Scales in urogynecologic research. STUDY DESIGN: In phase I, 35 women completed short forms of the urogenital distress inventory, incontinence impact questionnaire, and Beck depression inventory fast screen using the Likert-type scale and Visual Analog Scale formats. Reliability was estimated with Spearman's correlations and Cronbach's alpha; construct validity was assessed with the use of factor analyses. In phase II, 101 women were recruited for the test-retest reliability assessment of the Visual Analog Scale formats of the urogenital distress inventory and incontinence impact questionnaire short forms. Reproducibility was analyzed with intraclass correlations. RESULTS: In phase I, correlations between the Likert-type scale and the Visual Analog Scale were good: urogenital distress inventory (0.748), incontinence impact questionnaire (0.787), and Beck depression inventory fast screen (0.852; P <.05). In phase II, intraclass correlations were 0.898 and 0.938 for the urogenital distress inventory and incontinence impact questionnaire scores, respectively ( P <.001). CONCLUSION: The Visual Analog Scale is a simple, reliable, and reproducible method for the assessment of quality of life in urogynecologic research.

Author information

Author/s: Lukacz, Emily S (ES); Lawrence, Jean M (JM); Burchette, Raoul J (RJ); Luber, Karl M (KM); Nager, Charles W (CW); Buckwalter, J Galen (JG);

Affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California, San Diego, USA.

Grants: 1R01HD041113-01A1 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Validation Studies

Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2004-Jul; vol 191 (issue 1) : pp 165-70

Dates: Created 2004/08/05; Completed 2004/09/14; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 15295359, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Factor Analysis, Statistical Female Female Urogenital Diseases - psychology Health Status Indicators Humans

Pain Measurement Psychometrics Quality of Life Research Urinary Incontinence - psychology

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