title: Validation of the genital herpes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (GHerpTSQ) in status and change versions.
abstract: A new measure of treatment satisfaction (GHerpTSQ) for recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) was validated and used to evaluate two therapeutic strategies widely used for the management of HSV: episodic treatment, where individual herpes outbreaks are treated as they arise; suppressive therapy, where treatment is taken daily to prevent HSV outbreaks. Satisfaction with treatment is important since daily dosing with suppressive therapy is necessary in the absence of symptoms. A 12-item questionnaire was designed using a modified form of the Diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (DTSQ). The psychometric properties of the GHerpTSQ were evaluated within a sample of 125 Canadians with a history of HSV (type 1, 2) infection participating in a 48 week randomised cross-over trial. Factor analysis suggested that the items can be analysed as two separate subscales corresponding to Control/effectiveness, and Convenience/lifestyle; the single item concerning side effects was retained for separate analysis. Forced one-factor analysis showed that the two subscales can be combined to obtain a total score relating to overall treatment satisfaction. The GHerpTSQ has good internal reliability, clear structure with little overlap of subscales and evidence of good sensitivity to changes in treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. tabackn@smh.toronto.on.ca
authors.forename: Nathan Asher
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Taback
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir