Determination Of The Smallest Detectable Change (Sdc) And The Minimal Important Difference (Mid) For The Small Fiber Neuropathy Screening List (Sfnsl) In Sarcoidosis

Mareye Voortman*, Emmylou Beekman, Marjolein Drent, Elske Hoitsma, Jolanda De Vries

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Previous studies found that 40-60% of the sarcoidosis patients suffer from small fiber neuropathy (SFN), substantially affecting quality of life. SFN is difficult to diagnose, as a gold standard is still lacking. The need for an easily administered screening instrument to identify sarcoidosis-associated SFN symptoms led to the development of the SFN Screening List (SFNSL). The usefulness of any questionnaire in clinical management and research trials depends on its interpretability. Obtaining a clinically relevant change score on a questionnaire requires that the smallest detectable change (SDC) and minimal important difference (MID) are known. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the SDC and MID for the SFNSL in patients with sarcoidosis. Methods: Patients with neurosarcoidosis and/or sarcoidosis-associated SFN symptoms (N=138) included in the online Dutch Neurosarcoidosis Registry participated in a prospective, longitudinal study. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods were used to estimate the MID and SDC, respectively. Results: The SFNSL was completed both at baseline and at 6-months' follow-up by 89/138 patients. A marginal ROC curve (0.6) indicated cut-off values of 3.5 points, with 73% sensitivity and 49% specificity for change. The SDC was 11.8 points. Conclusions: The MID on the SFNSL is 3.5 points for a clinically relevant change over a 6-month period. The MID can be used in the follow-up and management of SFN-associated symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis, though with some caution as the SDC was found to be higher.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)333-341
Number of pages9
JournalSarcoidosis Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases
Volume35
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • minimal important difference
  • smallest detectable change
  • small fiber neuropathy
  • small fiber neuropathy screening list (SFNSL)
  • sarcoidosis
  • FATIGUE ASSESSMENT SCALE
  • METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY
  • DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA
  • HEALTH-STATUS
  • ARA 290
  • VALIDATION
  • SYMPTOMS
  • RESPONSIVENESS
  • QUESTIONNAIRE
  • SYSTEM

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