Rasch analysis of the living with chronic illness scale in Parkinson’s disease

BACKGROUND: Neurologists play an essential role in facilitating the patient’s process of living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Living with Chronic Illness Scale-PD (LW-CI-PD) is a unique available clinical tool that evaluates how the patient is living with PD. The objective of the study was to analyse the LW-CI-PD properties according to the Rasch model. METHODS: An open, international, cross-sectional study was carried out in 324 patients with Parkinson’s disease from four Latin American countries and Spain. Psychometric properties of the LW-CI-PD were tested using Rasch analysis: fit to the Rasch model, item local independency, unidimensionality, reliability, and differential item functioning by age and gender. RESULTS: Original LW-CI-PD do not fit Rasch model. Modifications emerged included simplifying the response scale and deleting misfit items, the dimensions Acceptance, Coping and Integration showed a satisfactory fit to the Rasch model, with reliability indices greater than 0.70. The dimensions Self-management and Adjustment to the disease did not reach fit to the Rasch model. CONCLUSION: Suggestions for improving the LW-CI-PD include a multidimensional and shorter scale with 12 items grouped in three subscales with a simpler response scheme. The final LW-CI-PD Scale version is a reliable scale, with good internal construct validity, that provides Rasch transformed results on linear metric scale.