Validity of the Modified Dyspnea Index for the French-Canadian Population

J Nurs Meas. 2021 Apr 1;29(1):121-139. doi: 10.1891/JNM-D-19-00042. Epub 2021 Feb 16.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Multidimensional tools could evaluate the dyspnea of patients with chronic lung disease. The aim was to validate the use of the French-Canadian version of the modified dyspnea index (MDI) among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: The Spearman test analyzed the convergent validation of the MDI with pulmonary function tests (PFTs), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, the Modified Borg Scale, the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ), physical capacity, physical activity (Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire [GSLTPAQ]), and quality of life (SF-12).

Results: The MDI had a low correlation with PFT and physical activity; a moderate with physical capacity; a high with the physical dimension (SF-12).

Conclusion: The results support the convergent validation of the MDI French-Canadian version with PAH or ILD.

Keywords: anthropometric measurement; dyspnea; interstitial lung disease; modified dyspnea index; pulmonary arterial hypertension; validity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Canada
  • Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / standards*
  • Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Dyspnea / diagnosis*
  • Dyspnea / etiology*
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Lung Injury / complications*
  • Lung Injury / nursing*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Assessment / methods*
  • Psychometrics / standards
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / statistics & numerical data
  • Translations