Evaluating the Longitudinal Item and Category Stability of the SF-36 Full and Summary Scales Using Rasch Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) is widely used for measuring Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and has undergone rigorous psychometric evaluation using Classic Test Theory (CTT). However, Item Response Theory-based evaluation of the SF-36 has been limited with an overwhelming focus on individual scales and cross-sectional data.

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the longitudinal item and category stability of the SF-36 using Rasch analysis.

Method

Using data from the 1921-1926 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, responses of the SF-36 from six waves of data collection were analysed. Rasch analysis using Winsteps version 3.92.0 was performed on all 36 items of the SF-36 and items that constitute the physical

SUBMITTER: Cordier R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6241362 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature