Design and validation of a questionnaire for monitoring neurological dysphagia and respiratory deterioration in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (DEREDELA)

Introduction

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease of unknown origin that affects the motor neurons. It has a rapid, fatal course.

Method

For this study, an initial questionnaire of eleven items was developed by experts in the field, who evaluated the suitability and relevance of the items.

Results

The questionnaire was then applied to a pilot group of 22 patients diagnosed with ALS. Confirmatory factor analysis, based on estimating maximum likelihood, confirmed the three domains detected in the exploratory factor analysis. The reliability of the scale was tested using Cronbach's α (0.801) and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test (0.770) confirmed the construct validity.

Conclusions

The DEREDELA questionnaire is valid, in terms of its content, for monitoring the neurological dysphagia and respiratory deterioration suffered by patients diagnosed with ALS.