Validation of the Spanish version of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale for older adults

The Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS) is the only validated scale for measuring perceived fatigability in older adults.

We validated the PFS Spanish version by assessing convergent validity with respect to several measures of physical performance, physical activity, physical function and disability.

A cross-sectional validation study of 79 community-dwelling older adults aged 70 and older from Barcelona, Spain was included. Translation-retrotranslation was performed. Convergent validity was assessed in relation to physical activity and performance measurements, and analyzed with Spearman correlation coefficients, a linear trend test and non-linear regression. We also assessed the discriminant validity of the PFS physical score between participants with different physical activity and performance levels.

Higher PFS physical scores were inversely associated with the Short Physical Performance Battery (r = - 0.5, p < 0.001) and weak to moderately correlated with gait speed (r = 0.38, p = 0.001), and self-reported weekly walking time (r = 0.24, p = 0.035).

The PFS is a novel, brief instrument to assess fatigability in Spanish-speaking older adults, with good convergent validity against physical performance measurements. Thus, the PFS can be used in Spanish-speaking populations.