title: [Development of the CAT-Health, the first adaptive computerized test (CAT) for the evaluation health-related quality of life in Spain].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a Computerized Adaptive Test to obtain a generic measure of the patients' perceived health state.
  
  
  METHODS
  An experts' panel created a pool of five-alternative Likert format items, chosen among Health Related Quality of Life questionnaires validated in our country. That pool was applied to a pilot sample and later to another general sample of patients belonging to 7 Primary Health Centers in Asturias. Two response options were offered to the general sample: 1) on paper 2) on a touch panel. The Item Response Theory psychometric properties (discrimination, reliability and validity) were evaluated by means of the factorial analysis and other methods. The information function was analyzed and a study of simulation was developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A pool of 140 items was created. The requirements for the application of the IRT were verified by means of the factorial analysis. A selection of items was realized following the statistical criterion and the application of the IRT. The elimination of 35 articles resulted in a test composed by 105 items. Once the questionnaire was applied to the general sample, the parameters of the items were estimated again. The parameters invariance was verified once more and other 9 items were eliminated. The result was a definitive version of 96 items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Computerized Adaptive Test developed proves to be a fast and reliable tool to evaluate the Health Related Quality of Life generically. This test may imply a very important advance for the measurement of the results reported by the patients in the clinical practice.
authors: BAP Health Outcomes, Oviedo, España. pablo@baphealth.com
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Rebollo
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: García Cueto
authors: Pilar C
authors: PC
authors: Zardaín
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Cuervo
authors: Ignacio
authors: I
authors: Martínez
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Alonso
authors: Montserrat
authors: M
authors: Ferrer
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Muñiz
mesh_terms: D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires