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BACKGROUND: The SF-36 is a generic health status measure which has gained popularity as a measure of outcome in a wide variety of patient groups and social surveys. However, there is a need for even shorter measures, which reduce respondent burden. The developers of the SF-36 have consequently suggested that a 12-item sub-set of the items may accurately reproduce the two summary component scores which can be derived from the SF-36 [the Physical Component Summary Score (PCS) and Mental Health Component Summary Score (MCS)]. In this paper, we adopt scoring algorithms for the UK SF-36 and SF-12 summary scores to evaluate the picture of change gained in various treatment groups. METHODS: The SF-36 was administered in three treatment groups (ACE inhibitors for congestive heart failure, continuous positive airways therapy for sleep apnoea, and open vs laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia). RESULTS: PCS and MCS scores calculated from the SF-36 or a sub-set of 12 items (the 'SF-12') were virtually identical, and indicated the same magnitude of ill-health and degree of change over time. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that where two summary scores of health status are adequate than the SF-12 may be the instrument of choice.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Public Health Med

Publication Date

06/1997

Volume

19

Pages

179 - 186

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Algorithms, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Heart Failure, Hernia, Inguinal, Humans, Laparoscopy, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Positive-Pressure Respiration, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Sleep Apnea Syndromes, Surveys and Questionnaires