Assessing functional outcomes of children with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis: the Muscular Dystrophy Spine Questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable scale to evaluate the symptoms and functional abilities important to children with scoliosis and muscular dystrophy and their parents.


METHODS
Eighty-five items were generated from a review of the literature and interviews with clinicians, parents, and children with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis. Items were reviewed and rated in terms of "importance" and "severity" by the children and their parents. The foremost 29 items were formatted into a self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
The questionnaire, completed 2 weeks apart, demonstrated "excellent" test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97). Construct validity was established through correlations with forced vital capacity (r = 0.46; P = 0.02), the Activities Scale for Kids (r = 0.40; P = 0.04), and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Questionnaire (r = 0.72; P = 0.00).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the Muscular Dystrophy Spine Questionnaire is a valid and reliable questionnaire designed to assess the outcomes of treatment in children with muscular dystrophy and scoliosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE OR CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prognostic level 2.
Wright
James G
JG
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. james.wright@sickkids.ca
Smith
Patricia L
PL
Owen
Janice L
JL
Fehlings
Darcy
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult