SF 36 health survey questionnaire: II. Responsiveness to changes in health status in four common clinical conditions.

• DOI: 10.1136/qshc.3.4.186
• Publication Date: 2008-09-29T17:52:26Z
• Authors: A M Garratt; D A Ruta; M I Abdalla; I T Russell
• Keywords: SF-36

OBJECTIVE--To assess the responsiveness of SF 36 health survey questionnaire to changes in status over time for four common clinical conditions. DESIGN--Postal questionnaires at baseline and after one year9s follow up, with two reminders week intervals if necessary. SETTING--Clinics training general practices Grampian region north east Scotland. PATIENTS--More than 1,700 patients aged 16 86 years conditions: low back pain, menorrhagia, suspected peptic ulcer, varicose veins; a random sample 900 members local population comparison. MAIN MEASURES--A transition question measuring change eight scales questionnaire; standardised response means (mean score scale divided by standard deviation scores) used quantify instrument9s perceived status, comparison patient scores up those population. RESULTS--The rate exceeded 75% Changes across were associated self reported health, as measured question. The showed significant improvements all conditions, whether referred or non-referred patients. For ulcer veins profiles year approximate CONCLUSIONS--These results provide first evidence United Kingdom.