Dr. Zephanie Tyack1,4, Roy Kimble1,2, Anita Plaza 3, Steven McPhail4,5, Megan Simons1,6
1 Centre for Children’s Burns and Trauma Research, Children’s Health Research Centre, 62 Graham Street South Brisbane, QLD, 4101. z.tyack@uq.edu.au; royk@uq.edu.au
2 Surgical Directorate – Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, 501 Stanley Street South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, royk@health.qld.gov.au
3 Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield St, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia, Anita.Plaza@health.qld.gov.au
4 Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia, steven.mcphail@qut.edu.au
5 Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Buranda, QLD, Australia
6 Occupational Therapy Department – Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, 501 Stanley Street South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, megan.simons@health.qld.gov.au
Background
The Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (BBSIP) was developed as a measure of health-related quality of life for people with burn scars with subscales including sensory, physical and emotional symptoms; work and daily activities, appearance, relationships and social functioning. This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the BBSIP – adult version (i.e. longitudinal validity, reproducibility, responsiveness and dimensionality).
Methods/Design
A longitudinal cohort study was conducted with testing at three time-points (at 95% wound healing, 1 to 2- weeks later and 1-month later). Participants included adults at risk of, or with, post-burn scarring. Data were analysed using correlation and reliability coefficients, smallest detectable change (SDC) and factor analyses. Longitudinal validity was tested using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Factor analysis was applied to item groupings (including the frequency and intensity of sensory symptoms).
Results
Participants included 124 adult participants (mean (SD) age = 39 (15)). Longitudinal validity of the subscales of sensory symptoms, work and daily activities, appearance, and relationships and social functioning and physical symptoms was generally supported (≥75% of hypothesised correlations supported). Reproducibility was generally supported for sensory and emotional symptoms, appearance, and relationships and social functioning but was lower than expected for physical symptoms [SDC = 1.83 – 3.99 on 5-point scales]. Factor analysis supported the unidimensionality of select item groupings into subscales.
Conclusion
The psychometric properties of the BBSIP – adult version were generally supported. Further testing should be conducted in adults 6-months or more post-burn.
Key Words
Burns, scar assessment, health-related quality of life
Biography
Dr Tyack is a Research Fellow with the Centre for Children’s Burns and Trauma Research. Her research interest areas are the health-related quality of life, burn scarring, and the burden of disease in people with chronic diseases including burns. She is also involved in studies investigating comorbidity and complex chronic diseases.