Development of a Burden Scale for Colonoscopy Experienced by Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This study aimed to develop and validate a burden scale for colonoscopy-specific experiences among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to assess its reliability and validity.

Building upon previous research on patient experiences and perceptions of colonoscopy, a 33-item pain scale was developed. Content validity was assessed to refine the questionnaire. An online survey was conducted through an IBD patient community. The reliability of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and test-retest reliability. Validity was examined through factor analysis to assess construct validity and correlation coefficients with external criteria for criterion-related validity.

Of the 371 distributed questionnaires, 176 were returned, and data from 173 participants were included in the analysis. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis yielded a 21-item scale with four distinct factors: pain during colonoscopy, burden with bowel preparation, anxiety and symptoms after colonoscopy, and difficulty in taking time off to receive colonoscopy. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.875) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.879). Criterion-related validity was supported by correlations with external measures, including the cognitive appraisal rating scale (r = 0.615), anxiety related to colonoscopy (r = 0.582), pain during colonoscopy (r = 0.544), and satisfaction with colonoscopy (r = -0.333).

The newly developed burden scale for colonoscopy in patients with IBD demonstrated robust reliability and validity, indicating its potential utility as a clinical instrument for assessing the burden in this patient population.