Development and validation of a short-version checklist for patients undergoing hemodialysis based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Background: In 2009, we developed a “100-category checklist” for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and we confirmed its validity. However, we found that for patients’ daily assessment, 100 categories were too many. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a short version of the “100-category checklist.” Methods: A total of 100 outpatients undergoing HD were recruited. They were interviewed using the “100-category checklist” and asked whether they had experienced problems after starting HD. From the “100-category checklist,” we extracted categories that had greater than a 50 % rate of “yes” responses. Content validity was evaluated using the frequency of patients who had a problem in each category. Criterion validity was evaluated based on the correlation of the score from the “short-version checklist” categories with that from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL™) questionnaire. Construct validity was evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients between the number of problem categories and the presence of HD-related complications. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was calculated to evaluate internal consistency. Results: Twenty-two categories were identified as problem categories. Criterion validity showed that 12 categories were significantly correlated with subscales of the KDQOL™. Construct validity showed that the presence of complications contributed to an increased number of problems associated with HD. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of this checklist was 0.79. Conclusion: The “short-version checklist” had a certain degree of validity, suggesting its usefulness in a simplified assessment of patients undergoing HD.