Visual analogue scales in stroke: what can they tell us about health-related quality of life?
OBJECTIVE
Contrasting accounts exist on whether people with stroke are able to self-report on outcomes using visual analogue scales (VASs). We explored correlations between multi-item scale-rated health-related quality of life (HRQL) and VAS-rated HRQL after stroke, and compared those with versus without aphasia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Community dwelling stroke patients living in London.


METHODS
People with first stroke were recruited during their hospital stay and were assessed 3 months later.


METHODS
The Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39g) and a single vertical VAS.


RESULTS
73 people took part, 14 with aphasia. VAS scores were significantly correlated with the overall SAQOL-39g (r=0.69, p<0.01). SAQOL-39g subdomain scores were also correlated with VAS scores, with the psychosocial domain most highly correlated (r=0.67, p<0.01) and the communication least correlated (ρ=0.30, p<0.05). SAQOL-39g-VAS difference scores were higher for people with aphasia and the difference was significant (t (71)=2.02, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the significant correlation of the overall SAQOL-39g and the VAS-rated HRQL, subdomain results suggested that people considered mostly psychosocial aspects when rating their HRQL on a single VAS. Agreement was poorer for people with aphasia, raising issues for the use of VASs with people with aphasia.
Division of Language and Communication Science, City University London, London, UK.
Katerina
K
Hilari
Lois-Danielle
LD
Boreham
Aphasia; Outcomes Research; Quality of Life; Visual Analogue Scales