Article

There is little evidence for the measurement properties of
instruments commonly used for women with pelvic girdle pain. The aim
of this study was to examine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability,
and construct validity of instruments used for women with pelvic girdle pain.
DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional methodology study, including test-retest
reliability assessment. METHODS: Women with pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy and
after delivery participated in a postal survey that included the Pelvic Girdle
Questionnaire (PGQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Disability Rating Index
(DRI), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale
(PCS), and 8-item version of the Medical OUTCOMES: Study 36-Item Short-Form
Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Test-retest reliability was assessed with a
random subsample 1 week later. Internal consistency was assessed with the
Cronbach alpha, and test-retest reliability was assessed with the intraclass
correlation coefficient (ICC) and minimal detectable change (MDC). Construct
validity based on hypotheses was assessed by correlation analysis. Discriminant
validity was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic
curve. RESULTS: All participants responded to the main (N=87) and test-retest
(n=42) surveys. Cronbach alpha values ranged from .88 to .94, and ICCs ranged
from .78 to .94. The MDC at the individual level constituted about 7% to 14% of
total scores for the 8-item version of the SF-36, ODI, and PGQ activity subscale;
about 18% to 22% for the DRI, PGQ symptom subscale, and PCS; and about 25% for
the FABQ. Hypotheses were mostly confirmed by correlations between the
instruments. The PGQ was the only instrument that significantly discriminated
participants who were pregnant from participants who were not pregnant as well as
pain locations. LIMITATIONS: A comparison of responsiveness to change of the
various instruments used in this study was not undertaken, but will be carried
out in a future study. CONCLUSIONS: Self-report instruments for assessing health
showed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity
for women with pelvic girdle pain. The PGQ was the only instrument with
satisfactory discriminant validity, thus, it is recommended for evaluating
symptoms and disability in patients with pelvic girdle pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS