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Psychometric evaluation of the multiple sclerosis impact scale (MSIS-29) for proxy use

¹ Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
² Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Centre
³ Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Centre

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
MsF A H van der Linden
Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands; fah.vdlinden{at}vumc.nl

Background: There may be difficulties in the use of self report measurements in patients with cognitive impairment or serious mood disturbances which interfere with reliable self assessment, as may be the case in multiple sclerosis (MS). In such cases proxies may provide valuable information. However, before using any questionnaires in a proxy sample, the questionnaire should be evaluated for proxy use.

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the 29 item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) when used by proxies of MS patients.

Methods: A sample of 62 partners of MS patients completed the MSIS-29. The data were evaluated for the psychometric criteria of the MSIS-29, including data quality, scaling assumptions, acceptability, reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

Results: Psychometric evaluation was satisfactory; data quality was high, and scaling assumptions and acceptability were good. Reliability was high (>0.80). Findings were consistent with results of a psychometric evaluation in a patient sample.

Conclusions: The MSIS-29 can be used reliably in proxies of patients with MS. As a next step the relation between data obtained from patients and proxies needs to be studied, focusing on factors that may affect agreement and discrepancies.

Abbreviations: EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; ES, effect size; GNDS, Guy’s Neurological Disability Scale; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; MS, multiple sclerosis; MSIS, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale

Keywords: multiple sclerosis; clinical scale; proxy; MSIS-29; psychometric evaluation

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