Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
The Slovenian Version of the Thirst Distress Scale for Patients with Heart Failure: Translation and Psychometric
Špela Plesec1, Andreja Kvas2, Mitja Lainscak1,3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Thirst is a common symptom in patients with heart failure (HF), which can cause a high degree of distress. Increased fluid intake due to thirst can lead to clinical deterioration because of shifts in volume status. The thirst assessment should be included in routine patient follow-up; however, only a limited set of validated instruments are available.
Aims:
To translate and evaluate psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the Thirst Distress Scale for Patients with Heart Failure (TDS-HF).
Methods:
The English version of the TDS-HF was translated back and forth into the Slovenian language. The psychometric evaluation included content validity, internal consistency, construct validity, and concurrent validity assessments. For this purpose, we also evaluated thirst intensity using a visual analogue scale (VAS, 100 mm).
Results:
Overall, 159 patients with HF (mean age 71 ± 9 years, 69% male, 77% in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-III, mean Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) 36 ± 12%) completed the TDS-HF. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the one-factor structure of the scale. The Slovenian version demonstrated good content validity (scale content validity index based on the average method (S-CVI/Ave) 0.96) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.83). In terms of concurrent validity, a positive correlation was observed between TDS-HF and thirst intensity (r = 0.36, p ≤ 0.01).
Conclusions:
The psychometric evaluation of the Slovenian version of the TDS-HF showed adequate psychometric properties, indicating that the scale is suitable for clinical practice and research in Slovenia to measure thirst distress in patients with HF.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...