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DEMQOL and DEMQOL-Proxy: a Rasch analysis among those diagnosed with dementia
A A Jolijn Hendriks1, Sarah C Smith2, Nick Black1
1Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH,, UK.
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
|October 28, 2019
Summary
The DEMQOL and DEMQOL-Proxy tools reliably measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in people with dementia when analyzed using the Rasch model. Further qualitative research is needed to address identified content and response option issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychometrics
- Dementia Care Research
- Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) Measurement
Background:
- Previous research indicated DEMQOL and DEMQOL-Proxy are robust for measuring HRQL in dementia using Rasch model analysis.
- A replication study focused on a subsample diagnosed with dementia (PWD) to validate these tools for their intended population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the psychometric properties of DEMQOL and DEMQOL-Proxy in people with dementia (PWD).
- To confirm the suitability of Rasch model analysis for scoring these HRQL measures in the PWD population.
Main Methods:
- Rasch model analysis was performed using RUMM2030 software on DEMQOL (n=441) and DEMQOL-Proxy (n=342) datasets.
- Key psychometric properties assessed included scale-to-sample targeting, item threshold ordering, item fit, differential item functioning, local independence, unidimensionality, and reliability.
Main Results:
- The psychometric evaluation yielded results highly consistent with the original study sample.
- Identical issues concerning the content and response options of both DEMQOL and DEMQOL-Proxy were identified.
Conclusions:
- DEMQOL and DEMQOL-Proxy demonstrate robust HRQL measurement capabilities in people with dementia when Rasch model analysis is applied.
- Qualitative investigation into the identified content and response option limitations is recommended to enhance the scoring accuracy of these instruments.
