Psychometric evaluation of the Dutch version of the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the 16-item Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS). The SOWS measures withdrawal symptoms at the time of assessment.


METHODS
The Dutch SOWS was repeatedly administered to a sample of 272 opioid-dependent inpatients of four addiction treatment centers during rapid detoxification with or without general anesthesia. Examination of the psychometric properties of the SOWS included exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion validity.


RESULTS
Exploratory factor analysis of the SOWS revealed a general pattern of four factors with three items not always clustered in the same factors at different points of measurement. After excluding these items from factor analysis four factors were identified during detoxification (temperature dysregulation, tractus locomotorius, tractus gastro-intestinalis and facial disinhibition). The 13-item SOWS shows high internal consistency and test-retest reliability and good validity at different stages of withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
The 13-item SOWS is a reliable and valid instrument to assess opioid withdrawal during rapid detoxification. Three items were deleted because their content does not correspond directly with opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Dijkstra
Boukje A G
BA
Novadic-Kentron, Network for Addiction Treatment Services, Sint-Oedenrode, The Netherlands. boukje.dijkstra@novadic-kentron.nl
Krabbe
Paul F M
PF
Riezebos
Truus G M
TG
van der Staak
Cees P F
CP
De Jong
Cor A J
CA
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D005149:Facial Expression; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008691:Methadone; D009069:Movement Disorders; D009426:Netherlands; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D008691:Methadone