The Reliability and Validity of the Swedish Version of the Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Scale (FDSS)

• Introduction: Fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness are frequently experienced by patients with DM1 and these symptoms have a negative impact on daily activity, participation and quality of life. Although there are few successful treatment options, there exists a need to develop instruments with the aim to reliably measure symptoms and follow patients over time in clinical practice and research. The aim of this study was to translate and psychometrically evaluate the Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Scale (FDSS). Shortly, the FDSS has been devised with the aim to measure these symptoms as a single clinical entity, consisting of 12 self-assessment questions covering both fatigue and daytime sleepiness. The original version of FDSS has been found to be reliable and valid. The study was performed at the Neuromuscular Centre, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Methods: The FDSS was translated into Swedish using the forward-and backward procedure. The scale was administered to 43 patients on two occasions at a two week interval. At baseline assessment, the patients also received the question of whether they experienced fatigue and/or sleepiness (yes or no). The group of patients consisted of 24 women and 19 men with an average age of 46.9 years (four with the childhood form, 32 classical and seven with a late onset). The statistical analysis included an evaluation of intra-rater reliability, internal consistency and construct validity. Results: The FDSS showed an excellent intra-rater reliability (PCC = .91) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .71). The scale successfully distinguished patients experiencing fatigue and sleepiness from those who did not (mean FDSS score of 10.8 vs 7.1, p = .002). Discussion: The present study supports the use of the translated version of the FDSS for the measurement of fatigue and daytime sleepiness in patients with DM1. Grant Support: West Sweden Muscle Foundation.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Myotonic dystrophy type 1

Fatigue

Daytime sleepiness

Rating scale

Psychometry

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