title: Examining web equivalence and risk factor sensitivity of the COPD population screener.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim was to assess the equivalence of an Internet-based chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-population screener (COPD-PS) relative to a validated paper-and-pencil version. A secondary aim was to compare groups based on known COPD risk factors, such as smoking status and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an online panel survey organization, participants were randomized to internet or paper-and-pencil assessment where they completed the COPD-PS and other study forms. A subset of respondents also completed a test-retest reliability assessment. Finally, several thousand additional online respondents completed the COPD-PS for risk factor analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1006 adults completed the randomized study (N = 504 online, N = 502 by mail). There were no differences between the arms in mean COPD-PS scores (mean difference: 0.12; 95% confidence interval: -0.14-+0.37; P = 0.365). In the web arm, 106/504 (21.0%) exceeded the screening cut-off compared to 101/502 (20.1%) in the paper-administration arm (difference in proportions: 0.9%; 95% confidence interval: -4.1%-+5.9%; P = 0.720). Subgroup analyses on a separate cohort of 3001 adults demonstrated hypothesized differences between groups defined by smoking status, presence of COPD, and shortness of breath.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methods of administration that were evaluated in this study (internet vs. paper and pencil) resulted in no significant differences in COPD-PS mean scores. Furthermore, the predictive utility of the COPD-PS was not different between methods of administration, even after accounting for age and smoking status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. j-beaumont@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Beaumont
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Victorson
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wortman
authors.forename: Hemal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*