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. 2009 Jun 22:7:58.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-7-58.

Rasch analysis of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale MSIS-29

Melina Ramp  1 , Fary Khan, Rose Anne Misajon, Julie F Pallant
Affiliations

Rasch analysis of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale MSIS-29

Melina Ramp et al. Health Qual Life Outcomes. .

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological disease that causes impairments, including spasticity, pain, fatigue, and bladder dysfunction, which negatively impact on quality of life. The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) is a disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument, developed using the patient's perspective on disease impact. It consists of two subscales assessing the physical (MSIS-29-PHYS) and psychological (MSIS-29-PSYCH) impact of MS. Although previous studies have found support for the psychometric properties of the MSIS-29 using traditional methods of scale evaluation, the scale has not been subjected to a detailed Rasch analysis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use Rasch analysis to assess the internal validity of the scale, and its response format, item fit, targeting, internal consistency and dimensionality.

Methods: Ninety-two persons with definite MS residing in the community were recruited from a tertiary hospital database. Patients completed the MSIS-29 as part of a larger study. Rasch analysis was undertaken to assess the psychometric properties of the MSIS-29.

Results: Rasch analysis showed overall support for the psychometric properties of the two MSIS-29 subscales, however it was necessary to reduce the response format of the MSIS-29-PHYS to a 3-point response scale. Both subscales were unidimensional, had good internal consistency, and were free from item bias for sex and age. Dimensionality testing indicated it was not appropriate to combine the two subscales to form a total MSIS score.

Conclusion: In this first study to use Rasch analysis to fully assess the psychometric properties of the MSIS-29 support was found for the two subscales but not for the use of the total scale. Further use of Rasch analysis on the MSIS-29 in larger and broader samples is recommended to confirm these findings.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Targeting map for the 20-item MSIS-29-PHYS after rescoring and removal of one person (N = 91).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Targeting map for the nine-item MSIS-29-PSYCH after removal of one person (N = 91).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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