Validation of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Fatigue in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: The SONG-HD Fatigue Instrument
Author Department
Nephrology; Medicine
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
10-2020
Abstract
Background and objectives: Fatigue is a very common and debilitating symptom and identified by patients as a critically important core outcome to be included in all trials involving patients receiving hemodialysis. A valid, standardized measure for fatigue is needed to yield meaningful and relevant evidence about this outcome. This study validated a core patient-reported outcome measure for fatigue in hemodialysis.
Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of a new fatigue measure (Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis Fatigue [SONG-HD Fatigue]). Eligible and consenting patients completed the measure at three time points: baseline, a week later, and 12 days following the second time point. Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated to assess internal consistency, and Spearman rho was used to assess convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis was also conducted. Hemodialysis units in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Romania participated in this study. Adult patients aged 18 years and over who were English speaking and receiving maintenance hemodialysis were eligible to participate. Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis, the Visual Analog Scale for fatigue, the 12-Item Short Form Survey, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue were used.
Results: In total, 485 participants completed the study across the United Kingdom, Australia, and Romania. Psychometric assessment demonstrated that Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis is internally consistent (Cronbach α =0.81-0.86) and stable over a 1-week period (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.68-0.74). The measure demonstrated convergence with Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue and had moderate correlations with other measures that assessed related but not the same concept (the 12-Item Short Form Survey and the Visual Analog Scale). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor model.
Conclusions: SONG-HD Fatigue seems to be a reliable and valid measure to be used in trials involving patients receiving hemodialysis.
Keywords: fatigue; hemodialysis; patient reported outcome measures.
Recommended Citation
Ju A, Teixeira-Pinto A, Tong A, Smith AC, Unruh M, Davison SN, Dapueto J, Dew MA, Fluck R, Germain MJ, Jassal SV, Obrador GT, O'Donoghue D, Viecelli AK, Strippoli G, Ruospo M, Timofte D, Sharma A, Au E, Howell M, Costa DSJ, Anumudu S, Craig JC, Rutherford C. Validation of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Fatigue in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: The SONG-HD Fatigue Instrument. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Oct 22:CJN.05880420. doi: 10.2215/CJN.05880420. Epub ahead of print.
PMID
33093215