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The Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire: validation and reliability in postal research
B H Smith1, K I Penny, A M Purves
1Department of General Practice, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, UK.
Pain
|June 1, 1997
Summary
The Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire reliably measures chronic pain severity in the UK general population. This validated tool is suitable for postal surveys and self-administration, proving acceptable for research.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Psychometrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Chronic Pain Grade (CPG) questionnaire is a multi-dimensional tool for assessing chronic pain severity.
- Previous use was limited to interview administration in selected US populations.
- Its utility in the UK, via self-completion in a general population, was unestablished.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability, validity, and acceptability of the CPG questionnaire.
- To assess its suitability for self-completion in a UK general practice population.
- To determine its effectiveness in postal survey research.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey was conducted in a Scottish general practice population (n=400).
- The CPG questionnaire was compared with the SF-36 general health questionnaire.
- Psychometric testing, including Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis, was performed.
Main Results:
- A 76% response rate was achieved, indicating good acceptability.
- High Cronbach's alpha (>0.9) and item-total correlations demonstrated excellent internal consistency and reliability.
- Confirmatory factor analysis and correlations with the SF-36 confirmed validity.
Conclusions:
- The Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire is a reliable and valid measure of chronic pain severity.
- It is suitable for self-administration and postal surveys in the UK general population.
- The questionnaire demonstrates good translation into UK English and is acceptable for research.