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Originalartikel - resume

Validation of the Fatigue Severity Scale in Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Kristian Lorentzen1, Mads Ammitzbøll Danielsen2, Susan Due Kay3 & Anne Voss3

28. apr. 2014
2 min.

INTRODUCTION

Fatigue is a symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has a substantial effect on the patients’ quality of life and is a parameter that is difficult to quantify. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a validated and reliable tool for quantifying fatigue. However, no Danish translation has yet been developed or validated. The aim of this study was to translate the FSS from English into Danish and subsequently to test and describe its validity and reliability in Danish SLE patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The FSS was translated from English into Danish and then back-translated. The translation agreed upon by medical professionals was tested for construct validity in an unselected group of SLE patients. The final version was tested for content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability in a second unselected group of SLE patients using the Danish version of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). All patients included were outpatients with SLE of low to moderate disease activity, and low to moderate organ damage.

RESULTS

Correlations were found between the Danish FSS and the main component scores of the SF-36. We found a high Cronbach’s alpha as well as acceptable results of the intraclass correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman plot.

CONCLUSION

The Danish FSS translation is a valid and reliable measure of fatigue in the Danish SLE patients included in this study.

FUNDING

Anne Voss reported a grant from The Danish Rheumatism Association (R33-A1836) and grants from The A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science and finally grants from the Region of South Denmark during the conduct of the study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not relevant.

CORRESPONDENCE: Kristian Lorentzen. E-mail: kristian.l@dadlnet.dk

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at www.danmedj.dk

REFERENCE: Dan Med J 2014;61(4):A4808