Derivation of a short form of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire

J Clin Periodontol. 2014 Jan;41(1):46-51. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12175. Epub 2013 Nov 19.

Abstract

Aim: To derive and evaluate a short form of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire.

Methods: Data from three previous studies of dentine hypersensitivity (n = 353) were pooled and randomly divided into half. Ten- and 15-item short forms were derived in the first half of the data using the item impact and regression methods. The four short forms were evaluated in the second half.

Results: The 10 and 15-item versions of the regression short form detected impacts in 37% and 61% of participants, respectively, compared to 68% and 93% using the item impact method. All short forms had internal consistency (Cronbach's α) >0.84 and test-retest reliability (ICC) >0.89. All correlated with the long form (all r > 0.93, p < 0.001) and with the effect of the mouth on everyday life (all r ≥ 0.73, p < 0.001). None of the short forms detected a treatment effect in two trials although all four showed a tendency to detect an effect in a trial where the long form had done so.

Conclusions: The 15-item short form derived with the item impact method performed better than other short forms and appears to be sufficiently robust for use in individual patients.

Keywords: clinical trials; dentine hypersensitivity; oral health related quality of life; questionnaires.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Attitude to Health
  • Dentin Sensitivity / psychology*
  • Eating / physiology
  • Emotions
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Pain Measurement
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Regression Analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*