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Tried and tested: the psychometric properties of the multiple sclerosis impact scale (MSIS-29) in a population-based study

Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland orlagray{at}hotmail.com

GV McDonnell

Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

SA Hawkins

Reader of Clinical Neurology, Division of Medicine and Therapeutics, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Objective

To investigate the psychometric properties of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and to assess the relationship between the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale and the physical and psychological parts of this score.

Methods

A population-based study identified cases with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in the north-east region of Ireland. They were examined and completed the MSIS-29. Cases were classified as mild (Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) 0–3.0), moderate (EDSS 3.5–5.5), or severe (6.0–9.5) MS.

Results

The 248 participants (82 male, 166 female) had a mean age of 49.1 years (SD 12.4). EDSS ranged from 0 to 9.5 (median 6.0). Data quality was excellent (0.02% missing data), physical and psychological scores spanned the entire range with low floor and ceiling effects. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha 0.97 – physical score, 0.93 – psychological score). The convergent validity of the physical impact score of the MSIS-29 with the Kurtzke EDSS was confirmed with a high Spearman’s rank coefficient correlation of 0.63 (P = 0.01). Physical impact scores for mild, moderate, and severe disability as were statistically different at 25.9%, 48.0%, and 63.9%, respectively. Mean psychological score was non-significantly higher in the moderately disabled group at 47.4% compared with the severely disabled at 44.3% (P = 0.58).

Conclusions

The MSIS-29 is an acceptable, reliable, and valid method of recording quality of life. A significant relationship between higher physical impact scores of the MSIS-29 and higher Kurtzke EDSS values suggests that is may be of use in clinical trials to monitor progression.

Key Words: multiple sclerosis • multiple sclerosis impact scale (MSIS-29) • quality of life

This version was published on January 1, 2009

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 15, No. 1, 75-80 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1352458508096872


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