Assessment of Construct Validity of the Oswestry Disability Index and the Scoliosis Research Society-30 Questionnaire (SRS-30) in Patients With Degenerative Spinal Disease

Spine Deform. 2019 Nov;7(6):929-936. doi: 10.1016/j.jspd.2019.04.008.

Abstract

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Objectives: To measure and compare the structural validity of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Scoliosis Research Society-30 (SRS-30) questionnaire in an adult population with prolonged degenerative thoracolumbar disease.

Summary of background data: The ODI and the SRS-30 are commonly used patient-reported outcome instruments to assess back-specific disability and symptoms related to scoliosis. Still, these instruments have not been validated for degenerative spinal disease with different stages of deformity.

Methods: Altogether, 637 consecutive adult patients with degenerative spinal pathologies were included. The patients completed the ODI (version 2.0), the 23 preoperative items of the SRS-30, a general health survey, the Kasari Frequency Intensity Time (FIT) index, the Depression Scale (DEPS), the RAND-36, and visual analog scales for leg and back pain instruments. Psychometric statistical and illustrative analyses were conducted. Deformity groups were analyzed to assess how well the two instruments reflect deformity-related back problems.

Results: Both instruments reflected good coverage and targeting. Correlation between the ODI and the SRS-30 was high (r = 0.70; p < .001). Both measures could distinguish between different general health states. The SRS-30 strongly reflected mental state and social well-being. The SRS-30 was less sensitive for pain and function. Furthermore, the principal component of pain/function explained more variance in the SRS-30 compared with the ODI score. The ODI was more sensitive for variance of disability among different age and deformity groups.

Conclusions: Both the ODI and the the SRS-30 provide valid scores in evaluating health-related quality of life and/or level of disability among patients with prolonged degenerative thoracolumbar disease. The ODI has slightly higher correlation with physical functioning. The SRS-30 seems to be better when evaluating the emotional and psychological functions.

Level of evidence: Level III.

Keywords: Deformity; ODI; SRS; Spine; Validity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Back Pain / diagnosis
  • Back Pain / psychology*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis / complications
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Psychometrics / methods*
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Radiography / methods
  • Scoliosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Scoliosis / physiopathology
  • Scoliosis / psychology*
  • Spinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Diseases / pathology
  • Spinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Spinal Diseases / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Visual Analog Scale