Comparison of two methods in deriving a short version of oral health-related quality of life measure

• Published in: Community dental health Vol. 25; no. 3; p. 132
• Main Authors: Saub, R, Locker, D, Allison, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.2008
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Care; Ethnic Groups; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand; Health Status; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Health; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; Self Concept; Social Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires - standards; Young Adult; Malaysia
• ISSN: 0265-539X
• DOI: 10.1922/CDH_2179Saub05

To compare two methods of developing short forms of the Malaysian Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-M) measure. Cross sectional data obtained using the long form of the OHIP-M was used to produce two types of OHIP-M short forms, derived using two different methods; namely regression and item frequency methods. The short version derived using a regression method is known as Reg-SOHIP(M) and that derived using a frequency method is known as Freq-SOHIP(M). Both short forms contained 14 items. These two forms were then compared in terms of their content, scores, reliability, validity and the ability to distinguish between groups. Out of 14 items, only four were in common. The form derived from the frequency method contained more high prevalence items and higher scores than the form derived from the regression method. Both methods produced a reliable and valid measure. However, the frequency method produced a measure, which was slightly better in terms of distinguishing between groups. Regardless of the method used to produce the measures, both forms performed equally well when tested for their cross-sectional psychometric properties.