Development, Rasch analysis and validation of the kidney symptom burden questionnaire (KSB-Q).

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Psychometrics
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are crucial for monitoring chronic kidney disease (CKD) symptoms.
• Current PROMs are often lengthy, leading to patient fatigue and data gaps.
• Many existing CKD PROMs lack robust psychometric validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a short-form Kidney Symptom Burden Questionnaire (KSB-Q).
• To create a concise and psychometrically sound measure for CKD symptom burden.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey of adults (≥18 years) with CKD stages 3-5 was conducted.
• Rasch measurement methodology was employed to assess item properties and scale structure.
• Cognitive debriefing interviews were performed to ensure content validity.

Main Results:

• A nine-item scale, the KSB-Q, was developed, covering key symptom domains.
• The KSB-Q demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including reliability and validity.
• Content validity was confirmed through cognitive debriefing and participant feedback.

Conclusions:

• The KSB-Q is a validated, nine-item patient-reported outcome measure for somatic symptoms in CKD.
• It exhibits strong psychometric performance across CKD stages 3-5, including diverse patient groups.
• The KSB-Q offers a reliable and efficient tool for clinical practice.