Design and psychometric evaluation of a new symptom measure for individuals living with HIV (HIV Symptom Rating Questionnaire: HIVSRQ).

European AIDS Clinical Society Resource Library
Abstract presented as a poster at European AIDS Conference, Milan July 2017

Objectives: Drug developments have seen dramatic improvement in HIV survival rates and an increasing need for patient-reported outcome data on symptoms associated with HIV and current treatments. This abstract reports on the psychometric evaluation of a new symptom measure designed for individuals living with HIV, the HIVSRQ.

Methods: 255 participants (UK N=128, US N=127) recruited via the internet, completed the questionnaire individually (via post) or with a researcher (via phone). Prior to analysis the HIVSRQ included 64 items drafted in consultation with HIV specialists following literature review. Each item asked if a particular symptom had been experienced in recent weeks and if ‘yes’, was rated for how much this symptom had bothered the respondent on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 4 (a lot).

Results: Mean ages of participants were UK 46 years (SD=9.19) and US 51 years (SD=11.69). Time since diagnosis was UK 12 years (SD=8.30) and US 18 years (SD=9.29). Male/female ratio was 99/29 (UK), 104/20 (US). Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a clean six-factor structure comprising 25 items, all loading >0.4 and explaining 50% variance in the data. The six factors were neuromuscular (α=0.84), sexual problems (α=0.82), emotional/mood (α= 0.85), minor illnesses (α=0.66), skin problems (α=0.73) and gastrointestinal symptoms (α=0.75). To enable a general overview of symptoms a forced one-factor EFA was run. The 38 items (loading >0.4) explained 28% of the variance. Of the 20 items not included in subscales, 6 were experienced by < 10% of participants but, of those, 3 received high bother ratings therefore, all items were retained as stand-alone items.

Conclusion: The HIVSRQ is both comprehensive and quick to complete. It has sound psychometric properties, is suitable for use in clinical trials, other research and in routine clinical practice to evaluate key symptoms and help clinicians understand patients’ experiences.