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Fair reliability of eckardt scores in achalasia and non‐achalasia patients: Psychometric properties of the eckardt spanish version in a multicentric study
Author(s) -
Cisternas Daniel,
Monrroy Hugo,
Riquelme Arnoldo,
Padilla Oslando,
FuentesLópez Eduardo,
Valle Arturo,
Mejia Ricardo,
Hani Albis,
ArdilaHani Andres F.,
Leguizamo Ana Maria,
Bilder Claudio,
Ditaranto Andres,
RemesTroche Jose Maria,
Ruiz de León Antonio,
Pérez de la Serna Julio,
Marin Ingrid,
Serra Jordi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.13827
Subject(s) - achalasia , cronbach's alpha , dysphagia , reliability (semiconductor) , physical therapy , psychometrics , medicine , psychology , clinical psychology , esophagus , surgery , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics
Background Eckardt symptom score (ESS) is the most used tool for the evaluation of esophageal symptoms. Recent data suggest that it might have suboptimal reliability and validity. The aims of this study were as follows: (a) Develop and validate an international Spanish ESS version. (b) Perform psychometric ESS evaluation in patients with achalasia and non‐achalasia patients. Methods Eckardt symptom score translation was performed by Delphi process. ESS psychometric evaluation was done in two different samples of patients referred for manometry. First sample: 430 dysphagia non‐achalasia patients. Second sample: 161 achalasia patients. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α and Guttman coefficient (<0.5 = unacceptable. 0.5‐0.7 = fair. >0.7 = acceptable). Key Results Our data show that in patients without and with achalasia, ESS behaves similarly. Both show a fair reliability with Cronbach's α of 0.57 and 0.65, respectively. Based on our results, we recommend interpretation of the Spanish ESS be done with caution. The psychometric quality of the ESS could not be improved by removal of any items based on the single‐factor structure of the scale and no items meeting criteria for elimination. Conclusions and Inferences Eckardt symptom score Spanish translation was developed. ESS showed a fair reliability for the evaluation of patients with any causes of dysphagia. Our results highlight the need for development and psychometric validation of new dysphagia scoring tools.