Development and validation of the Dyspnea Index (DI): A severity index for upper airway-related dyspnea

Jackie L. Gartner-Schmidt, Adrianna C. Shembel, Thomas G. Zullo, Clark A. Rosen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives To (1) develop and validate the Dyspnea Index (DI); (2) quantify severity of symptoms in upper airway dyspnea; and (3) validate the DI as an outcome measure. Study Design Survey development and validation. Methods Three hundred sixty-nine participants were recruited for different phases of the study. Two hundred participants with chief complaints of dyspnea were given a 41-item questionnaire addressing common symptoms of dyspnea related to the upper airway. The questions were then reduced based on principal component analysis (PCA) and internal consistency resulting in a 10-item questionnaire. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 15 participants. Test-retest reliability and discriminant validity were measured from 51 participants. The DI was further validated by administering the index to 57 healthy controls (HC). Validation of the DI as a treatment outcome tool occurred with 46 participants' pre- and post-treatment scores. Results PCA revealed that only a single factor was being measured in both the original 41- and 10-item questionnaires. Additional cognitive interviewing suggested that no modification was needed to the DI. Test-retest reliability was r = 0.83. Discriminant validity was r = 0.62. The Mann-Whitney test demonstrated significant differences between healthy/symptomatic participants. Scores from the HC cohort resulted in a mean of 3.12 (SEM = 0.484; SD = 3.65) for the normative values. Conclusions The DI is an effective and efficient instrument to quantify patients' symptoms of upper airway dyspnea. It is a statistically robust index, with significant reliability and validity, and can be dependably used as a treatment outcome measure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)775-782
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Voice
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dyspnea
  • Glottal stenosis
  • Laryngeal stenosis
  • Outcomes
  • Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder (PVFMD)
  • Questionnaire
  • Shortness of breath
  • Symptom severity
  • Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Speech and Hearing
  • LPN and LVN
  • Otorhinolaryngology

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