Further validation of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-30) questionnaire among adult patients with degenerative spinal disorder

Purpose: The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-30) questionnaire proved valid in measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult patients with spinal deformity or degenerative disease. This study further assesses the validity of the SRS-30 by comparing its results with other HRQoL instruments, such as Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the RAND-36, among unselected adult patients with degenerative spinal disorder. Materials and methods: 628 consecutive patients completed the SRS-30, the ODI, the pain visual analog scale (VAS), and RAND-36 questionnaires. Using a 9 mm minimal important difference threshold of the VAS, patients were divided into three groups of symptom location: back pain (n = 226), lower extremity pain (n = 161), and combination of both (n = 241). Statistical and illustrative tests using beta coefficients, Rasch measurement analytics, and score distributions were used for analysis. Results: The SRS-30 functioned well for all three subgroups. There were small differences in convergent validity of the SRS-30 compared to the ODI and the RAND-36 between the three subgroups. The SRS-30 performed similarly in different pain groups independent of age, gender, or deformity severity. The scale displayed good coverage and targeting for all three subgroups. Conclusions: The SRS-30 proved to provide valid HRQoL scores for all adult patients with degenerative spinal disorders.

Automated summary

The study confirmed the validity of the SRS-30 questionnaire in assessing health-related quality of life in adult patients with degenerative spinal disorders, showing consistent performance across different pain subgroups, indicating good convergent validity compared to other HRQoL instruments. The scale demonstrated good coverage and targeting for all three subgroup, independently of age, gender, or deformity severity.