Content validity of the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire version 2.1 electronic patient-reported outcome.

PURPOSE: A concept elicitation, cognitive debriefing, and usability study was undertaken to: 1) ascertain the migraine experience with a particular focus on the impact on roles and daily functioning; 2) determine the comprehensiveness and comprehensibility of the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire version 2.1 electronic patient-reported outcome Role Function-Restrictive (MSQ v2.1 ePRO RFR) domain items, and the appropriateness and understanding of the recall period, response options, and instructions; and 3) assess the usability on an electronic tablet device. METHODS: Eleven US English-speaking people with episodic or chronic migraine were recruited to participate in one-on-one interviews, encompassing methods appropriate for concept elicitation, cognitive debriefing, and usability testing. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed following the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Participants (seven episodic and four chronic) had a mean age of 34.8 years, and nine were female. Through spontaneous mention or probing, the concepts of the MSQ v2.1 ePRO RFR domain items were described and endorsed by all participants as day-to-day functioning restrictions; except for item 5 (ability to concentrate), which was endorsed by 10 of 11 participants. Cognitive interviewing confirmed the MSQ v2.1 ePRO instructions were clear, meaningful, and important to assess as daily functioning impacts experienced as a result of migraine. Overall impressions of the ePRO device were favorable, and no participants reported any difficulties with use. CONCLUSIONS: The MSQ v2.1 ePRO RFR domain is content-valid and appropriate for inclusion in future studies designed to measure the functional impact of episodic or chronic migraine on the performance of day-to-day activities.

Psychometric Validation of the Role Function Restrictive Domain of the Migraine Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Version 2.1 Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome in Patients With Episodic and Chronic Migraine.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the measurement properties of the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQv2.1) electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) Role Function-Restrictive (RFR) domain to evaluate the functional impact of migraine in patients with episodic (EM) or chronic migraine (CM) enrolled in clinical trials. METHODS: The 7-item MSQv2.1 ePRO RFR measures the functional impact of migraine on relationships with family and friends, leisure time, work or daily activities, productivity, concentration, tiredness, and energy. Measurement properties of the RFR were assessed using data from 2 EM (CGAG [n = 851] and CGAH [n = 909]) and 1 CM (CGAI [n = 1090]) Phase 3 galcanezumab clinical trials. Anchor- and distribution-based analyses were utilized to derive a responder threshold for clinical interpretation of change over time. The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), and migraine headache days (MHD) served as anchors. Responsiveness and responder threshold analyses were completed from baseline to the average of months 4-6 for EM studies, and from baseline to month 3 for the CM study; timeframes selected were based on the primary endpoints in these studies. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha values for internal consistency reliability were 0.93, 0.92, and 0.92, for CGAG, CGAH, and CGAI, respectively. Test-retest reliability intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.82 and 0.84 for CGAG and CGAH, and 0.85 for CGAI in stable patients. Convergent validity was supported by moderate to strong correlations (≥0.30) between the RFR and both MIDAS and PGI-S. Known-groups validity was established between subgroups stratified by baseline PGI-S and MHD (P < .05; δ = 0.35-1.96). For the EM studies, anchor variables suggested a change of ≥25 points (equivalent to 9 points/state changes on raw scale) in the RFR was an appropriate threshold to interpret a treatment benefit. For the CM study a change of ≥17.14 points (6 points/state changes on raw scale) was an appropriate threshold. In all 3 studies, significantly (P < .01) more galcanezumab patients achieved the responder definition thresholds, as compared to placebo (odds ratios of 1.98, 2.45, 2.27, 2.44, 1.64, and 1.66 for the 120 and 240 mg arms in the CGAG, CGAH, and CGAI trials, respectively). CONCLUSION: The MSQv2.1 ePRO RFR has sufficient reliability, validity, responsiveness, and appropriate interpretation standards for use in EM and CM clinical trials to assess the functional impact of migraine.

A Qualitative Comparison of Symptoms and Impact of Varying Stages of Basal Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer; however, few data are available relating to patients' perspectives and experiences of this disease. This study explored the spectrum of BCC symptoms and their impact by disease stage to determine how BCC affects the overall health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients. METHODS: This study comprised a cross-sectional, qualitative approach involving telephone interviews with patients with BCC who had been divided into two groups: group 1 (G1), patients with stage 1, non-advanced BCC (and of superficial or nodular histology); and group 2 (G2), patients with locally advanced or metastatic BCC. Patients were recruited from three clinical sites in the USA based on a separate qualitative interview study (I4J-MC-HHBB [1.3]) over a 10-month period. Techniques in qualitative methodology were used by applying 'open-ended' questions and probing techniques intended to elicit patients' own description of their experiences with BCC. Telephone interviews lasted between 60 and 90 mins. RESULTS: Thirty-four interviews were conducted (G1: N = 13; G2: N = 21). The majority of patients were aged either 55-64 years (32%, N = 11) or 76+ years (32%, N = 11) and were primarily male (82%, N = 28); most (75%, N = 24) patients were actively receiving BCC treatment. Both groups reported similar symptoms, with the most common being red lesions or open sores that failed to heal (41%, N = 14) and cancer-related stress (41%, N = 14). G2 reported more frequent and severe HRQL impact as a result of their cancer condition because most were affected in their daily activities (76%, N = 16) or emotional well-being (71%, N = 15). Cosmetic and functional impacts were relevant and important aspects of HRQL for both patient groups (G1: 31%, N = 4; G2: 48%, N = 10). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-advanced or locally advanced and metastatic BCC experience disease-related symptoms that affect their HRQL, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, and social and/or leisure activities. Qualitative descriptions of patient experiences can help healthcare providers and caregivers better understand the impact of BCC from the patient perspective. FUNDING: Eli Lilly and Company.

Qualitative Research on Fatigue Associated with Depression: Content Validity of the Fatigue Associated with Depression Questionnaire (FAsD-V2).

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). The Fatigue Associated with Depression Questionnaire (FAsD) was developed to assess fatigue and its impact in patients with MDD. The current article presents the qualitative research conducted to develop and examine the content validity of the FAsD and FASD-Version 2 (FAsD-V2). METHODS: Three phases of qualitative research were conducted with patients recruited from a geographically diverse range of clinics in the US. Phase I included concept elicitation focus groups, followed by cognitive interviews. Phase II employed similar techniques in a more targeted sample. Phase III included cognitive interviews to examine whether minor edits made after Phase II altered comprehensibility of the instrument. Concept elicitation focused on patients' perceptions of fatigue and its impact. Cognitive interviews focused on comprehension, clarity, relevance, and comprehensiveness of the instrument. Data were collected using semi-structured discussion guides. Thematic analyses were conducted and saturation was examined. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients with MDD were included. Patients' statements during concept elicitation in phases I and II supported item development and content. Cognitive interviews supported the relevance of the instrument in the target population, and patients consistently demonstrated a good understanding of the instructions, items, response options, and recall period. Minor changes to instructions for the FAsD-V2 did not affect interpretation of the instrument. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative research supports the content validity of the FAsD and FAsD-V2. These results add to previous quantitative psychometric analysis suggesting the FAsD-V2 is a useful tool for assessing fatigue and its impact in patients with MDD.

Content validity of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in pre- and postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) has consistently been shown to have discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency as a measure of female sexual function. However, the content validity (relevance, clarity, comprehensiveness) of the instrument in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) must also be established. AIM: The aim of this study were to assess the content validity of the FSFI, specifically the FSFI desire domain, in pre- and postmenopausal women with HSDD. METHODS: Two single-visit content validation studies were conducted in the United States. Eligible premenopausal (both studies) and postmenopausal (second study only) women with HSDD completed the FSFI followed by one-on-one, face-to-face cognitive debriefing interviews including open-ended questions to capture information on their perceptions of the instrument. Information on women's experiences of decreased sexual desire was also captured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures of this study were the women's ratings of the clarity, ease of understanding, comprehensiveness, and relevance of the 19 items of the FSFI. RESULTS: Interviews with 15 premenopausal women (first study), and 30 pre- and 31 postmenopausal women (second study), were analyzed. Across the whole sample, most women (80-100%) found every item of the FSFI clear and easy to understand. The majority (53-70%) felt that the FSFI captured all their feelings about decreased sexual desire and other sexual problems, and most (84-90%) indicated that additional questions were unnecessary. Most women in both studies (93-100%) reported that the two items comprising the FSFI desire domain were clear, easy to understand, and were relevant to them. The majority of women thought that a recall period of ≥7 days is most relevant for recall of their sexual desire. CONCLUSIONS: These studies establish the content validity of the FSFI in pre- and postmenopausal women with HSDD, supporting the use of this instrument as a measure of sexual function in women with this condition.

Perceptions about residence hall wingmates and alcohol-related secondhand effects among college freshmen.

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the secondhand effects among college freshmen of others' alcohol use and related student characteristics, and perceptions about residence hallmates. PARTICIPANTS: The authors surveyed 509 incoming freshmen residing in predominantly freshman residence halls. METHODS: The authors administered a Web-based survey 2 months into the 2006 fall academic semester. RESULTS: Most (80%) students experienced at least 1 secondhand effect. Participants' perceptions of wingmates' acceptance and expectation of alcohol use and participants' perceived inability to protect themselves against alcohol problems were related to experiencing secondhand effects, as were being a female and a drinker. CONCLUSIONS: Incoming college freshmen frequently experienced secondhand effects of alcohol use. Involving residence halls in norms-based interventions aimed at reducing secondhand effects warrants evaluation. Further research is also needed to examine skill building among college students to avoid and intervene into others' drinking and to examine resident advisor roles as both engenderers of trust and cooperation as well as enforcers of alcohol rules.

Risk factors and comorbid conditions associated with lower urinary tract symptoms: EpiLUTS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors and comorbid conditions associated with subgroups of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men and women aged > or =40 years in three countries, using data from the EpiLUTS study, as LUTS are common amongst men and women and increase in prevalence with age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-representative survey was conducted via the Internet in the USA, the UK and Sweden. Participants were asked to rate how often they experienced individual LUTS during the past 4 weeks on a 5-point Likert scale. Eight LUTS subgroups were created. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions within each LUTS subgroup were used to assess the data. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 59%. The final sample was 30,000 (men and women). The voiding + storage + postmicturition (VSPM) group reported the highest rates of comorbid conditions for both men and women, and the fewest were reported in the no/minimal LUTS and the postmicturition-only groups. Increasing age was associated with increasing LUTS in men, but not in women. Comorbid conditions significantly associated with the VSPM group were arthritis, asthma, chronic anxiety, depression, diabetes (men only), heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, neurological conditions, recurrent urinary tract infection, and sleep disorders. Risk factors, such as body mass index, exercise level and smoking, played less of a role, except for childhood nocturnal enuresis, which was significantly associated with most LUTS subgroups. CONCLUSION: In this large population study, many comorbid conditions and risk factors were significantly associated with LUTS among both men and women. Further longitudinal investigations of the associations noted here would help physicians to understand the pathophysiology of LUTS and comorbid conditions, and provide clinical guidelines for patient management of comorbid conditions sharing common pathophysiological pathways.

Impact of the "peers as family" dormitory wing-based intervention on college student alcohol use and its secondhand effects.

An intervention to reduce college alcohol use and secondhand effects was tested. Freshmen dormitory wings at a large Mid-Atlantic public university were assigned to single-gender (SG) or mixed-gender (MG) Information-Motivation-Behavior (IMB) workshops implemented during the first weeks of school, or a control condition. Students were surveyed before school began and at 2- and 6-month follow-up. Analyses indicated that, among males, the adjusted mean weekly alcohol use was lower in the SG than the control condition (1.89 vs. 2.72, p = .041). Among females, the adjusted mean weekly alcohol use was lower in the MG than the SG (1.60 vs. 2.44, p = .021) and control condition (1.60 vs. 2.27, p = .056). Further research should identify underlying mechanisms for effective alcohol behavior change among male and female wing-mates.