The Assessment of Burden of COPD (ABC) Scale: A Reliable and Valid Questionnaire

Abstract

The newly developed Assessment of Burden of COPD (ABC) scale is a 14-item self-administered questionnaire which measures the physical, psychological, emotional and/or social burden as experienced by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The ABC scale is part of the ABC tool that visualises the outcomes of the questionnaire. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the ABC scale. This multi-centre survey study was conducted in the practices of 19 general practitioners and 9 pulmonologists throughout the Netherlands. Next to the ABC scale, patients with COPD completed the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Reliability analyses were performed with data from 162 cases. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for the total scale. Test-retest reliability, measured at a two week interval (n = 137), had an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.92. Analyses for convergent validity were performed with data from 133 cases. Discriminant and known-groups validity was analysed with data from 162 cases. The ABC scale total score had a strong correlation with the total score of the SGRQ (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) but a weak correlation with the forced expired volume in 1 second predicted (r = -0.28, p < 0.001). Subgroups with more severe disease, defined by GOLD-stage, frequency of exacerbations, activity level and depression scored statistically significantly (p < 0.05) worse on almost all domains of the ABC scale than the less severe subgroups. The ABC scale seems a valid and reliable tool with good discriminative properties.

Effectiveness of the Assessment of Burden of COPD (ABC) tool on health-related quality of life in patients with COPD: a cluster randomised controlled trial in primary and hospital care

“… 9 The ABC scale consists of five domains (ie, symptoms, functional state, mental state, emotions and fatigue) 9 and shows excellent reliability and validity. 11 This scale is combined with other parameters (ie, lung function, exacerbations, body mass index, comorbidity, smoking status and self-reported level of physical activity) to assess the integrated health status of a patient with COPD. The ABC tool visualises the outcome (using balloons, see figure 1 ) and therewith promotes awareness for patient and healthcare provider, and offers a treatment algorithm.…”

The role of psychological factors in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: From burden to tailored treatment

“…Recent advances have enabled periodic automated screening of the most relevant quality-of-life areas of patients through online screening instruments that provide the healthcare professional with a quick overview of (changes in) patient's functioning in comparison to norm scores from the specific patient group or healthy participants [85,86]. Results of such screenings can be easily integrated into regular consultations through graphically attractive and easily understandable feedback options.…”

ABC-tool reinvented: development of a disease-specific ‘Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC)-tool’ for multiple chronic conditions

“…Based on the discussion following the treatment advice, personal care plans can be determined and -where applicable -treatment advice can be operationalised [6]. The ABC-tool has shown to be valid, reliable and effective in improving QoL and perceived quality of care [7,8]. In general, patients and healthcare providers respond positively to the tool [9].…”