Validation and psychometric properties of the Multiple Sclerosis Autonomy Score (MSAS) in a French cohort: The FOCAL-MS 2 study
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Published on: June 30, 2014
Cécile Donzé1, Claude Mekies2, Catherine Mouzawak3
1Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Hôpital Saint Philibert, Lomme, France; Faculté de Médecine, Maïeutique, Sciences de la Santé, Lille, France; Neurethic Lab, ETHICS, (EA7446), Université Catholique de Lille, FLSH, Lille, France; ETHICS EA 7446, Université Catholique de Lille, Lille, France.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults, with profound implications for personal autonomy, mental health, and social participation. As no Patient-Reported Outcome Measure adequately captures patient autonomy, we developed the Multiple Sclerosis Autonomy Scale (MSAS). The FOCAL-MS 2 study aims to confirm the psychometric properties of the MSAS score.
Methods:
Patients included between 01/02/2024 and 19/04/2024 were routinely followed for 12 months throughout France. Health Care Professionals (HCPs) sent patients the 36-item MSAS questionnaire to complete before out-patient visits. Patients also completed the MSAS upon inclusion, 15 (D15), 30 (D30), and 360 (D360) days later. Validation included internal consistency, reliability, unidimensionality, multidimensionality, and construct validity.
Results:
A total of 199 patients (74.4% females; age 49.7 years) were included. The MSAS presented good internal consistency at inclusion (Cronbach's alpha = 0.845) and good test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.72 at D15 and 0.75 at D30). As each dimension was required to maintain consistency, one item was removed to improve the instrument's properties.
Conclusion:
The 35-question MSAS is a valid, consistent, and reliable tool to assess patient autonomy in MS and satisfies patients' and HCPs' needs.
Insights
The new 35-item Multiple Sclerosis Autonomy Scale (MSAS) is a validated tool for assessing patient autonomy in multiple sclerosis (MS). It demonstrates reliability and consistency, meeting the needs of patients and healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychometrics
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a primary cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults.
- MS significantly impacts personal autonomy, mental health, and social participation.
- Existing Patient-Reported Outcome Measures do not adequately capture patient autonomy in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Multiple Sclerosis Autonomy Scale (MSAS).
- To confirm the psychometric properties of the MSAS score in the FOCAL-MS 2 study.
- To provide a reliable tool for assessing patient autonomy in MS.
Main Methods:
- The FOCAL-MS 2 study involved 199 patients followed for 12 months in France.
- The 36-item MSAS questionnaire was administered to patients at multiple time points (inclusion, D15, D30, D360).
- Validation included assessment of internal consistency, reliability, unidimensionality, multidimensionality, and construct validity.
Main Results:
- The MSAS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.845) at inclusion.
- The scale showed good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.72 at D15, 0.75 at D30).
- One item was removed, resulting in a 35-item instrument with improved properties.
Conclusions:
- The 35-item MSAS is a valid, consistent, and reliable measure of patient autonomy in MS.
- The MSAS effectively addresses the needs of both patients and healthcare professionals.
- This scale enhances the assessment of autonomy for individuals with multiple sclerosis.
