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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Comparison of patient-reported outcome measures in multiple sclerosis
N Schäffler1, P Schönberg, J Stephan
1Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroimmunology and Clinical MS Research (inims), University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany. n.schaeffler@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|February 13, 2013
Summary
Patient-reported outcome measures like the MSIS-29 and HAQUAMS are valid tools for assessing multiple sclerosis (MS) severity. These patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) effectively capture different impairment levels compared to traditional assessments.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychometrics
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) are increasingly recognized for their sensitivity in multiple sclerosis (MS) research.
- This study evaluates the German version of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and the Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire in Multiple Sclerosis (HAQUAMS).
- These PROMs are compared against established rater- and physician-based clinical tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the MSIS-29 and HAQUAMS in a German MS patient cohort.
- To investigate the correlation between these patient-reported measures and traditional clinical assessments.
- To determine if PROMs can effectively differentiate between varying levels of disease severity and cognitive impairment in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- 117 consecutive MS patients from an MS outpatient unit were enrolled.
- Data collected included the MSIS-29, HAQUAMS, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the modified Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC).
- Statistical analyses focused on validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and inter-measure correlations.
Main Results:
- Both MSIS-29 and HAQUAMS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≤ 0.96) and test-retest reliability (ICC ≤ 0.87), meeting psychometric standards.
- Convergent and discriminant validity were supported by correlations with rater-based measures, aligning with functional subdomains.
- Strong correlations were observed between MSIS-29 and HAQUAMS (ρ = 0.90), and moderate correlations with EDSS (ρ = 0.55 vs 0.62), with both scales distinguishing patient groups by disease severity and cognitive status.
Conclusions:
- The MSIS-29 and HAQUAMS are validated instruments for assessing impairment levels in multiple sclerosis patients.
- These PROMs offer a valuable complement to traditional rater-based instruments like the EDSS and MSFC.
- Patient-reported outcome measures demonstrate utility in detecting nuanced differences in patient experience and disease impact.
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