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Background and Aims: The Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score (HDSS) is a tool that is scored based on five main symptoms: pain, bleeding, itching, soiling, and prolapse. Furthermore, the Short Health Scale (SHS) is a measurement tool of subjective health and health‐related quality of life. This study was performed to validate the Farsi‐translated Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score (HDSS), and Scale Short Health Scale adapted for hemorrhoidal disease (SHS‐HD) as a measure of symptom severity in patients with hemorrhoid disease. Methods: In this study, HDSS and SHS‐HD were translated into Farsi. Participants with confirmed hemorrhoid disease completed the questionnaire. Subsequently, the questionnaire's discriminative validity, convergent validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated. Results: Data from 31 patients were analyzed (mean age 39.68; 71% male). The results of the analysis showed good internal consistency as Cronbach's α for HDSS and SHS were 0.994 and 0.995 respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficient for the test–retest comparison was 0.986 (p < 0.01). The responses demonstrated good convergent validity. Moreover, the comprehension and suitability of each question were rated as excellent (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.3). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the Farsi translation of the HDSS and SHS‐HD can be a valuable tool for evaluating the symptom severity in patients with hemorrhoid disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Normalizing health‐related quality of life (QoL) and fatigue are important long‐term treatment targets in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We examined their evolution in relation to changes in disease activity during vedolizumab therapy. Methods: Cohort study of biologically refractory IBD patients treated with vedolizumab. Patients were prospectively evaluated at all infusions by Short Health Scale (SHS) (QoL questionnaire covering four health dimensions) (n = 79), visual analogous scale for fatigue (VAS‐F) (n = 30), and clinical disease activity. Objective disease assessment was carried out after 1 year or at treatment failure. Results: Patients in steroid‐free clinical remission at end of induction improved significantly in all SHS items already from week 2 with full implementation by week 14 ("Symptoms" 59% improvement, P < 0.001; "Function" 63%, P < 0.001; "Worries" 59%, P < 0.001; "Well‐being" 40%, P < 0.01). Then, SHS remained stable at background levels (< 20) for 1 year (improvements 67%; 65%; 62%; 57%; P < 0.001). Combined clinical‐objective remission at 1 year was associated with highest SHS improvements (64–72%; P < 0.001). Of note, early SHS improvements preceded manifestation of clinical remission in most patients (22 of 33; 67%). Clinical response materialized into late (week 6 or later) and minor SHS improvements (31–46%, P < 0.001). Fatigue improved steadily over 6 months to background levels (VAS‐F < 4) among patients in clinical remission (45% decrease) or clinical‐objective remission (41%). SHS and VAS‐F impairment remained elevated in patients without effect of therapy. Conclusion: QoL rapidly improves and predicts later significant clinical‐objective efficacies of vedolizumab at end of induction and 1 year. Fatigue improves slowly after remission is attained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of our study was to translate and validate the mainland Chinese version of the short health scale (SHS), a disease-specific quality-of-life (QoL) scale for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The SHS was translated and validated according to the standard process: a translation and back-translation procedure and a reliability and validation study. Patients with IBD were enrolled, and their QoL was assessed using the SHS, the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ), and the Bristol stool form scale. Reliability (internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, and test?retest reliability) and validity analyses were performed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the SHS. The impacts of different severity of major symptoms on QoL were analyzed by comparing the scores of SHS. Results: A total of 112 patients with IBD (69 with ulcerative colitis and 43 with Crohn's disease) completed the mainland Chinese version of the SHS, and 34 patients completed the SHS a second time within one to two weeks. Cronbach's alpha value of the SHS was 0.90, and its split-half coefficient was 0.83. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the four items ranged from 0.52 to 0.72. All four items of the SHS were significantly associated with the corresponding domains of the SIBDQ, with correlation coefficients ranging from ?0.52 to ?0.69 (p?0.001). The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit of the one-factor model, with comparative fit index (CFI)?=?0.878, normed fit index (NFI)?=?0.874, incremental fit index (IFI)?=?0.880, and goodness of fit index (GFI)?=?0.842. The patients with severe symptoms had higher scores in the SHS than those with no or mild symptoms. Conclusions: The SHS was simple and quick to be used. The SHS had good validity and reliability and was suitable for evaluating the QoL of patients with IBD in mainland China.

Abstract Background and Aims The Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score (HDSS) is a tool that is scored based on five main symptoms: pain, bleeding, itching, soiling, and prolapse. Furthermore, the Short Health Scale (SHS) is a measurement tool of subjective health and health‐related quality of life. This study was performed to validate the Farsi‐translated Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score (HDSS), and Scale Short Health Scale adapted for hemorrhoidal disease (SHS‐HD) as a measure of symptom severity in patients with hemorrhoid disease. Methods In this study, HDSS and SHS‐HD were translated into Farsi. Participants with confirmed hemorrhoid disease completed the questionnaire. Subsequently, the questionnaire's discriminative validity, convergent validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated. Results Data from 31 patients were analyzed (mean age 39.68; 71% male). The results of the analysis showed good internal consistency as Cronbach's α for HDSS and SHS were 0.994 and 0.995 respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficient for the test–retest comparison was 0.986 (p

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to identify the impact of clinical disease activity on HRQoL in CD patients treated with biological agents. Patients with moderate to severe active CD treated with biological agents in Denmark were included from 2016–2018. Disease related symptoms were assessed via the Harvey Bradshaw Index. HRQoL was measured on the Short Health Scale (SHS). Multivariable linear regression models were conducted separately for each SHS item and average SHS score stratified for sex, adjusting for clinical manifestation and age. In total, 1,181 CD patients were included. The mean age was 33 years and 56% were women. Abdominal pain (range of regression coefficients 1.18–1.42), number of liquid stools (0.33–0.58), and the appearance of a new rectal fistula (0.91–1.32) affected all domains in the SHS negatively for men and women. Arthralgia (0.47–0.67) and abdominal mass (0.54–0.62) affected 4 out of 5 items on SHS negatively for women and men, respectively. Female sex was found a predictor of lower HRQoL across all SHS items, whereas age and fistulizing disease, as phenotype, were not associated with lower HRQoL. Abdominal pain, number of liquid stools, a new rectal fistula, arthralgia for women, clinically assessed abdominal mass for men as well as female sex, were all found to be predictors of decreased HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Patients with ulcerative colitis have reduced health-related quality of life compared to the general population. Current treatment strategy aims to reduce patients' symptoms and increase health-related quality of life. We investigated which symptoms of ulcerative colitis correlate to decreased health-related quality of life. Methods: Among 743 patients with moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis receiving biological therapy in a cross-sectional national study, we determined which disease-related symptoms, as measured by the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, worsened health-related quality of life scores across the Short Health Scale dimensions, while adjusting for treatment, age, and clinical manifestation, and stratifying for sex, by means of multiple linear regression. Results: Patients with active disease had decreased health-related quality of life compared to those with inactive disease (median 5.8 (range 4.5–7.5) vs. 2 (0.8–3.3)). Both sexes had decreased health-related quality of life in all dimensions for the symptoms: bowel frequency during daytime (0.37–0.86 and 0.46–0.84), urgency of defecation (0.54–0.79 and 0.49–0.65) and blood in stool (0.50–0.75 and 0.36–0.54) for men and women respectively. Women were more often negatively affected by bowel frequency during night-time (4 domains vs. 1) and arthritis (5 domains vs. 3). In non-stratified analysis female sex is an independent predictor of lower health-related quality of life for 3 domains (0.38–0.53). Conclusions: Health-related quality of life was most prominently associated with bowel frequency during daytime, urgency of defecation, and blood in stool. Other symptoms associated for some health-related quality of life dimensions, and appear to vary between the sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patient reported outcomes are widely used in today's clinical practice. The Short Health Scale has been proven to be an easy-to-use and reliable measure to evaluate quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to validate this Short Health Scale in Dutch speaking patients. Methods: A total of 157 Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients (46% male, median age 39 years) completed the Short Health Scale on a tablet during the outpatient clinic. Validity was assessed by correlating both individual and total Short Health Scale scores with short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire dimensions and clinical disease activity. Test-retest reliability was assessed in eight patients in stable remission who completed the Short Health Scale a second time after 4–8 weeks. Results: All Short Health Scale items correlated with corresponding short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire dimensions (correlation coefficients ranging from −0.403 to −0.833, all p <.01). Short Health Scale scores increased stepwise with increasing clinical disease activity (all p <.001). The results of the Short Health Scale questionnaire remained stable on repeated measurements in patients in remission (rs between 0.699 and 0.994, all p <.01 except for well-being). Conclusions: The Short health Scale is a rapid and valid instrument for measuring quality of life in Dutch speaking patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Its simplicity and usability make it a good candidate for routine care and suitable for home-monitoring of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of our study was to translate and validate the mainland Chinese version of the short health scale (SHS), a disease-specific quality-of-life (QoL) scale for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)., Methods: The SHS was translated and validated according to the standard process: a translation and back-translation procedure and a reliability and validation study. Patients with IBD were enrolled, and their QoL was assessed using the SHS, the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ), and the Bristol stool form scale. Reliability (internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability) and validity analyses were performed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the SHS. The impacts of different severity of major symptoms on QoL were analyzed by comparing the scores of SHS., Results: A total of 112 patients with IBD (69 with ulcerative colitis and 43 with Crohn's disease) completed the mainland Chinese version of the SHS, and 34 patients completed the SHS a second time within one to two weeks. Cronbach's alpha value of the SHS was 0.90, and its split-half coefficient was 0.83. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the four items ranged from 0.52 to 0.72. All four items of the SHS were significantly associated with the corresponding domains of the SIBDQ, with correlation coefficients ranging from -0.52 to -0.69 ( p  < 0.001). The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit of the one-factor model, with comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.878, normed fit index (NFI) = 0.874, incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.880, and goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.842. The patients with severe symptoms had higher scores in the SHS than those with no or mild symptoms., Conclusions: The SHS was simple and quick to be used. The SHS had good validity and reliability and was suitable for evaluating the QoL of patients with IBD in mainland China., Competing Interests: No competing financial interests exist., (© Jiang-tao Hou et al., 2022; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)

Abstract: Background: Health related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease is influenced both by disease activity as well as by the psychosocial characteristics of the individual patient. The Short Health Scale (SHS) is a four-part visual analogue scale questionnaire using open-ended questions that are designed to assess the impact of inflammatory bowel disease on a health related quality of life. The four dimensions include bowel symptoms, activities of daily life, worry and general wellbeing. It has previously been validated in Swedish and Norwegian speaking patients. Aim: To evaluate the SHS in an English speaking inflammatory bowel disease population. Methods: Four hundred and ninety Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients completed the SHS. Individual SHS items were correlated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) dimensions and with disease activity to assess validity. Test–retest reliability was assessed in 38 patients who completed the Short Health Scale two weeks apart. Results: All four items correlated with corresponding IBDQ dimensions with correlation coefficients ranging from −0.66 to −0.74 (all p values<0.001). In addition, total SHS scores correlated with total IBDQ scores in both Crohn's disease (−0.836) and ulcerative colitis (0.797). There was a stepwise increase in Short Health Scale scores with increasing disease activity (all p values<0.001). Reliability was confirmed with test–retest correlations ranging from 0.70 to 0.89 (all p values<0.005). Conclusions: The Short Health Scale is a valid and reliable measure of health related quality of life in English speaking inflammatory bowel disease patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Short Health Scale (SHS), and to study the impact of socio-demographic and clinical data. Methods: A total of 140 patients without severe disease activity were included. The participants completed the SHS and three other well-validated HRQoL questionnaires Short Form 36, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and the Rating Form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Concerns at the baseline. Sixty-three participants completed the SHS at a second visit after 6 months in order to calculate test-retest reliability and responsiveness. In addition, socio-demographic and clinical variables were obtained and entered into a linear regression analysis if they were found to be significantly associated with SHS outcome. Results: Validity was confirmed by good correlation with other similar HRQoL constructs and the ability to discriminate between IBD symptom scores. The reliability was strong (Cronbach's α 0.85). The test-retest reliability in three out of four SHS items was weak, but the questionnaire demonstrated a good responsiveness. Current IBD symptoms were the most important predictor of SHS outcome. Conclusions: The Norwegian SHS demonstrated satisfactory psychometrical properties and is suitable for use in the follow-up of IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with a sigmoid colostomy using a simple general and disease-specific instrument. A subgroup not doing well was identified and examined further. Method The Short Health Scale (SHS) is a four-item instrument exploring severity of symptoms, function in daily life, worry, and general well-being, using visual analogue scales ranging from 0 to 100 where 100 is the worst possible situation. The SHS was delivered to 206 patients with a sigmoid colostomy. It was returned by 181 (87.9%) patients [88 men; median age 73 (33-91) years]. Follow-up was 61 (10-484) months for 178 (86.4%) patients returning usable questionnaires. A subgroup of 16 patients scoring more than 50 in all four items of the SHS was further examined with StomaQOL where 100 is best possible. Results The median score for severity of symptoms was 18 (2-95), function in daily life 21 (0-95), worry 17 (3-98) and general well-being 22 (0-99). A score of < 50 in the SHS was recorded in 84.9%, 82.1%, 79.9% and 70.5% respectively. In the group scoring more than 50 in all four items patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome constituted 43.8% to compare with 5.6% in the entire study group ( P < 0.001). Median score for StomaQOL was 37 (22-62) in this group. Conclusion Most patients with a permanent sigmoid colostomy have a good QoL consistent with previous findings. However, this is reduced in a subgroup of patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patient reported outcomes are widely used in today's clinical practice. The Short Health Scale has been proven to be an easy-to-use and reliable measure to evaluate quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to validate this Short Health Scale in Dutch speaking patients. Methods: A total of 157 Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients (46% male, median age 39 years) completed the Short Health Scale on a tablet during the outpatient clinic. Validity was assessed by correlating both individual and total Short Health Scale scores with short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire dimensions and clinical disease activity. Test-retest reliability was assessed in eight patients in stable remission who completed the Short Health Scale a second time after 4-8 weeks. Results: All Short Health Scale items correlated with corresponding short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire dimensions (correlation coefficients ranging from -0.403 to -0.833, all p  < .01). Short Health Scale scores increased stepwise with increasing clinical disease activity (all p  < .001). The results of the Short Health Scale questionnaire remained stable on repeated measurements in patients in remission (r s between 0.699 and 0.994, all p  < .01 except for well-being). Conclusions: The Short health Scale is a rapid and valid instrument for measuring quality of life in Dutch speaking patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Its simplicity and usability make it a good candidate for routine care and suitable for home-monitoring of patients.

Background: In most cases, collagenous colitis can be treated effectively with budesonide. However, some patients develop side effects or have chronic symptoms refractory to budesonide. This paper reports an open case series of patients intolerant or refractory to budesonide who were treated with methotrexate (MTX)., Methods and Patients: Nine patients (seven women) with a median (range) age of 62 (44-77) years were studied. Bowel movements were registered during 1 week prior to baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks' treatment, enabling calculation of the mean bowel movements/day. All patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsies before inclusion to confirm diagnosis. Open treatment with MTX was given 15 mg subcutaneously weekly for 6 weeks and was increased to 25 mg for a further 6 weeks if symptoms were unresponsive to the first 6 weeks' treatment. The endpoint was clinical remission, which was defined as a mean <3 stools/day and mean <1 watery stool/day/week at Week 12. The Short Health Scale was used at baseline and Week 12 to assess health-related quality of life., Results: Five patients fulfilled the treatment according to the protocol and four patients discontinued the study after 3-6 weeks because of adverse events. No patient achieved clinical remission at Week 12. The mean stool frequency/day at baseline was 6.0 stools/day, thereof 5.4 watery stools/day and after 12 weeks treatment 6.4 stools/day, thereof 5.7 watery/day. No patient appreciated an improvement of health-related quality of life., Conclusion: Short-term treatment with MTX had no clinical effect in collagenous colitis patients intolerant or refractory to budesonide. Alternative therapies should be investigated in these patients.