Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
11:35
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Validation of a self-report comorbidity questionnaire for multiple sclerosis
Myles Horton1, Richard A Rudick, Claire Hara-Cleaver
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man., Canada.
Neuroepidemiology
|June 17, 2010
Summary
Self-report questionnaires accurately capture common health conditions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This validation study confirms self-reporting as a reliable method for assessing comorbidity in MS care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Comorbidity is frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS), impacting quality of life and disability.
- Methods for measuring comorbidity in MS are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a self-report questionnaire for assessing comorbidity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Main Methods:
- 404 MS patients from two clinics completed a comorbidity questionnaire.
- Medical records served as the gold standard for comparison.
- Sensitivity, specificity, and kappa statistics were used to determine agreement.
Main Results:
- High agreement (kappa >0.82) was found for diabetes and hypertension.
- Substantial agreement (kappa = 0.62-0.80) was observed for hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, glaucoma, and lung disease.
- Moderate agreement (kappa = 0.43-0.56) was noted for osteoporosis, IBS, migraine, depression, heart disease, and anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Self-report questionnaires demonstrate validity in capturing comorbidities experienced by MS patients.
- This method can reliably assess the health status of individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Self-Report Tests of Personality
Self-report inventories are objective personality assessments that use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). They are often called Likert scales after Rensis Likert. These inventories are widely used due to their ease of administration and cost-effectiveness. One of the most prominent examples is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), initially developed in the 1940s to assess abnormal personality traits.
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
A thorough health history and physical assessment are essential for identifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms and distinguishing them from other health issues.
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...