Psychometric properties of the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire in the Spanish-speaking population

Abstract

Objectives

This work aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire (VHQ) in a Spanish-speaking population.

Methods

A total of 150 patients were included. Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA), Cronbach’s alpha, weighted kappa, Spearman correlation with respect to the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Activities Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

Results

Internal consistency analysis found eight items uncorrelated with the total score, after whose elimination a 17-item VHQ version was generated. The EFA did not find clear factorization but did find a 7-item VHQ subscale that correlated strongly with VHQ_17 and VHQ_25. The Kappa was 0.993, 0.979 and 0.996 for VHQ_25, VHQ_17 and VHQ_7, respectively. Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) was 1.57, 2.11 and 0.60 points, and Minimum Detectable Change (MDC) was 3.08, 4.13 and 1.17 points for the three scales. VHQ_25, VHQ_17 and VHQ_7 strongly correlated with ABC-16 (Rho = −0.716, −0.787 −0.603, respectively) and DHI (Rho = 0.708, 0.696 0.721, respectively). VHQ_7 score was statistically different for different health conditions. The cut-off point >57 in VHQ_25 and >14 in VHQ_7 had 100% sensitivity, while a cut-off point >41 in VHQ_17 had 100% specificity in predicting severe disability due to vertigo.

Conclusions

The Spanish version of the VHQ_25 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring disability, handicap and psychological distress related to vertigo. However, the VHQ_17 and VHQ_7 versions may be viable options, especially the last, which has excellent psychometric properties and may be easier to implement.