The SF–8 Spanish Version for Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment: Psychometric Study with IRT and CFA Models

Abstract

The aim of current research is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SF-8, overcoming previous shortcomings. A double line of analyses was used: competitive structural equations models to establish factorial validity, and Item Response theory to analyze item psychometric characteristics and information. 593 people aged 60 years or older, attending long life learning programs at the University were surveyed. Their age ranged from 60 to 92 years old. 67.6% were women. The survey included scales on personality dimensions, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors related to aging. Competitive confirmatory models pointed out two-factors (physical and mental health) as the best representation of the data: χ2(13) = 72.37 (p < .01); CFI = .99; TLI = .98; RMSEA = .08 (.06, .10). Item 5 was removed because of unreliability and cross-loading. Graded response models showed appropriate fit for two-parameter logistic model both the physical and the mental dimensions. Item Information Curves and Test Information Functions pointed out that the SF-8 was more informative for low levels of health. The Spanish SF-8 has adequate psychometric properties, being better represented by two dimensions, once Item 5 is removed. Gathering evidence on patient-reported outcome measures is of crucial importance, as this type of measurement instruments are increasingly used in clinical arena.

Kihon Checklist to assess frailty in older adults: Some evidence on the internal consistency and validity of the Spanish version

“…Functional status was measured by the Barthel Index, 15 cognitive function by the Spanish version of the Mini‐Mental State Examination 16 (scores not adjusted for age and educational level), depressive mood by the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale Short Form, 23 health‐related quality of life by the eight‐item Short Form Health Survey 24 and nutritional status by the Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Short Form 25…”

Health outcomes among adults initiating medical marijuana for chronic pain: A 3-month prospective study incorporating ecological momentary assessment (EMA)

“…The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8; Ware et al, 2001 ) was used to measure overall health-related quality of life. SF-8 is one of the most extensively validated and widely used measure for patient-reported quality of life worldwide ( Tomás et al, 2018 ). Participants were asked to answer eight questions on general health, physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, energy level, social functioning, mental health, and role limitations due to emotional problems during the past four weeks.…”

Risk of work addiction in academic physicians prevalence, determinants and impact on quality of life

“…Since, the SF-36 is a time-consuming instrument, and the SF-8 explores the same 8 domains, we preferred to use the SF-8 which is the shortest SF Health Survey consuming one to two minutes. 18,19 The SF-8 is an 8-item-questionnaire, with a 4-week-recall-period. Four questions deal with the physical component of health with its specific dimensions: physical functioning, physical role, general health, and body pain.…”

“…Four questions deal with the physical component of health with its specific dimensions: physical functioning, physical role, general health, and body pain. The remaining 4 questions focus on mental health component dealing with vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health 19 Each item has a 5 or 6-point response range. Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component measures were calculated using Quality Metric Health outcomes solutions software (License Number: QM037277).…”