Development and Psychometric Validation of the Spanish Version of the Experience of Living With Chronic Heart...

Living with chronic heart failure (CHF) implies physical consequences but also alterations in personal identity, family and social roles, and spiritual needs. No patient-reported outcome measures have been identified to know the meaning of living with CHF for the person. The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish Version of the Experience of Living with CHF-University of Navarra Scale using a Spanish-speaking population. An observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study with retesting was conducted among 299 patients with CHF from five hospitals. Data quality, acceptability, and reliability were tested using techniques from classical test theory. Fit to the Rasch model, reliability, unidimensionality, item local independency, adequacy of response scale, and differential item functioning were tested following item response theory. The sample included 63% men, with a mean age of 69.34 years. The scale resulted in 30 items and five dimensions. Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.73 to 0.85, and the intraclass correlation coefficient from 0.79 to 0.87. Direct summative and linear scores could be calculated for each subscale. This is the first scale that favors knowledge on the experience of living with CHF.