Article

Patients may develop primary (congenital) or secondary (acquired)
lymphedema, causing significant physical and psychosocial problems. To plan
treatment for lymphedema and monitor a patient's progress, swelling, and problems
in functioning associated with lymphedema development should be assessed at
baseline and follow-up. The purpose of this study was to investigate
the reliability (test-retest, internal consistency, and measurement variability)
and validity (content and construct) of data obtained with the Lymphoedema
Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema
(Lymph-ICF-LL). DESIGN: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. METHODS:
The Lymph-ICF-LL is a descriptive, evaluative tool containing 28 questions about
impairments in function, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in
patients with lower limb lymphedema. The questionnaire has 5 domains: physical
function, mental function, general tasks/household activities, mobility
activities, and life domains/social life. The reliability and validity of the
Lymph-ICF-LL were examined in 30 participants with objective lower limb
lymphedema. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest
reliability ranged from .69 to .94, and Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal
consistency ranged from .82 to .97. Measurement variability was acceptable
(standard error of measurement=5.9-12.6). Content validity was good because all
questions were understandable for 93% of participants, the scoring system (visual
analog scale) was clear, and the questionnaire was comprehensive for 90% of
participants. Construct validity was good. All hypotheses for assessing
convergent validity and divergent validity were accepted. LIMITATIONS: The
known-groups validity and responsiveness of the Dutch Lymph-ICF-LL and the
cross-cultural validity of the English version of the Lymph-ICF-LL were not
investigated. CONCLUSIONS: The Lymph-ICF-LL is a Dutch questionnaire with
evidence of reliability and validity for assessing impairments in function,
activity limitations, and participation restrictions in people with primary or
secondary lower limb lymphedema.

Langue : ANGLAIS