Validation of the burns itch questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Post-burn pruritus (itch) is a frequent and persistent issue for burn survivors.
• A validated tool is needed to assess itch and its effects in this population.
• Existing measures may not adequately capture the specific challenges of burn-related itch.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Burns Itch Questionnaire (BIQ).
• To determine the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the BIQ.
• To establish the BIQ as a reliable instrument for assessing itch in burn patients.

Main Methods:

• The Burns Itch Questionnaire (BIQ) was administered to 195 burn survivors at 3 months post-burn.
• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified the underlying structure of the BIQ.
• Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) validated the factor structure, with subsequent item refinement.
• Internal consistency and discriminant validity were assessed.

Main Results:

• EFA revealed three latent factors: itch severity, sleep interference, and daily life interference.
• CFA confirmed a good model fit after removing two items.
• The BIQ demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .89).
• The questionnaire successfully differentiated between patients with severe and less severe itch complaints.

Conclusions:

• The Burns Itch Questionnaire (BIQ) is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing itch in burn survivors.
• The BIQ effectively captures the multidimensional nature of post-burn pruritus.
• This validated tool can be utilized in clinical practice and research for improved management of burn-related itch.