EUROQUEST--a questionnaire for solvent related symptoms: factor structure, item analysis and predictive validity

Area of Science:

• Occupational Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Toxicology

Background:

• Long-term solvent exposure can cause toxic encephalopathy (TE).
• Evaluating TE symptoms requires effective screening tools.
• The EUROQUEST (EQ) questionnaire was developed to simplify symptom evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the factor structure and predictive validity of the EUROQUEST (EQ) questionnaire.
• To assess EQ's utility in screening for solvent-induced toxic encephalopathy (TE).

Main Methods:

• Administered EQ to male patients with suspected TE, a general population sample, and spray painters.
• Conducted factor and item analyses of EQ responses.
• Used regression analysis for sensitivity and correlation for specificity evaluation.

Main Results:

• Memory and concentration questions on EQ showed higher sensitivity for TE screening.
• EQ's memory/concentration subset may be more sensitive than the full EQ or Q16 screening questionnaire.
• Current diagnostic procedures for TE require additional information beyond screening questionnaires.

Conclusions:

• A subset of EQ questions focusing on memory and concentration may serve as a more efficient screening tool for TE.
• No single screening instrument, including EQ or Q16, is sufficient for diagnosing TE alone.
• Further clinical evaluation remains essential for accurate TE diagnosis.