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Development and Validation of VM-PATHI: Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory
Jeffrey D Sharon1, Roseanne Krauter1, Laura Kirk1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Objective:
The aim of this article is to develop and validate a disease-specific, patient-reported outcome measure for vestibular migraine.
Setting:
Tertiary care vestibular center.
Patients:
Adult patients with definite or probable vestibular migraine per Barany Society Criteria.
Study Design:
This was a prospective cohort study. VM-PATHI (Vestibular Migraine Patient Assessment Tool and Handicap Inventory) was developed with expert input, literature review, and patient feedback. VM-PATHI scores were compared between those with vestibular migraine and controls, across several time points, and to other dizziness and quality of life (QoL) measures.
Results:
A 25-item questionnaire was developed. Cronbach's α was high at 0.92. Test-retest reliability was excellent (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). Scores were much higher in patients with vestibular migraine (mean 42.5, SD = 16.1) than control patients (mean = 9.6, SD = 8.5). VM-PATHI scores were responsive to treatment (p = 0.01). Scores were well correlated with general QoL, depression, and anxiety scores. Scores were also correlated with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (r = 0.69). An exploratory factor analysis was performed, which revealed 6 distinct factors that corresponded well to different aspects of disease-related symptomatology.
Conclusion:
VM-PATHI is a valid, reliable, and responsive measure of disease severity in vestibular migraine.
