A1 Journal article (refereed)
Gender-related differences in psychometric properties of WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (2019)

Katajapuu, N., Laimi, K., Heinonen, A., & Saltychev, M. (2019). Gender-related differences in psychometric properties of WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 42(4), 316-321. https://doi.org/10.1097/MRR.0000000000000365

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Katajapuu, Niina; Laimi, Katri; Heinonen, Ari; Saltychev, Mikhail

Journal or series: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research

ISSN: 0342-5282

eISSN: 1473-5660

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 42

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 316-321

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Ltd.

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MRR.0000000000000365

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/65376

Abstract

Objective of this study was to investigate the gender-related differential item function of 12-item WHODAS 2.0 amongst patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. This was a cross-sectional survey study among 1,988 patients at a university Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine outpatient clinic. To assess DIF, WHODAS 2.0 items were dichotomized as `none’ rated by respondents as `0’ versus `any limitation’ rated as `1,2,3 or 4’. The item response theory analysis was used to define discrimination and difficulty parameters of a questionnaire. The probit logistic regression was used to test uniformity of DIF between gender groups. The results of DIF analysis were presented and evaluated graphically as item characteristic curves based on 2-parameter IRT analysis of dichotomized responses. High to perfect discrimination ability was observed for all the items except one. Difficulty levels of eight items were shifted towards the elevated disability level, four items demonstrated a perfect difficulty property. Significant DIF between genders was observed in seven of 12 items. The detected DIFs were uniform. For item `household’, `emotional affection’ and `work’, men had to experience slightly worse disability than women to achieve the same score. A reverse effect was observed for items `concentration’, `washing’, `dressing’ and dealing with strangers. In this study, significant DIF between genders was found in seven of twelve items of 12-item WHODAS 2.0. amongst 1988 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. All the detected DIFs were uniform. Regardless gender-related DIF shown in seven out of 12 items, we recommend using and studying 12-item WHODAS 2.0 in different populations.

Keywords: musculoskeletal system; pain; chronic pain; functional capacity; psychometrics; gender differences

Free keywords: differential item functioning; musculoskeletal pain; validity; WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1