Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Hebrew version of the FibroFatigue scale: validation of a questionnaire for assessment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Rheumatology International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this study is to validate a translated Hebrew version of the FibroFatigue Scale (FFS). The Hebrew version of the FFS was administered to 100 patients fulfilling ACR criteria for classification of FM together with the validated Hebrew version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the validated Hebrew version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measurement of pain, anxiety, depression, morning stiffness and global well being. Test–retest reliability was assessed using Spearman correlations. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach’s α of reliability. Construct validity of the FFS was evaluated by correlations among the FFS, the FIQ and the subscales of the SF-36. Mean duration of symptoms was 10.7 years, and mean age of participants was 53.5 years. Test–retest reliability was between 0.46 and 0.85 for the various FFS items. Internal consistency was 0.89 for the overall FFS. Significant correlations were obtained between the FFS items and the SF-36. These results support the reliability and validity of the data obtained with the Hebrew version of the FSS for detecting and measuring symptom severity in Hebrew speaking patients with FM.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, Bennett RM, Bombardier C, Goldenberg DL et al (1990) The American College of Rheumatology 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia. Report of the Multicenter Criteria Committee. Arthritis Rheum 33(2):160–172

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Clauw DJ, Crofford LJ (2003) Chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia: what we know, and what we need to know. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 17(4):685–701

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dadabhoy D, Clauw DJ (2006) Therapy insight: fibromyalgia—a different type of pain needing a different type of treatment. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol 2(7):364–372

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Arnold LM, Crofford LJ, Mease PJ, Burgess SM, Palmer SC, Abetz L et al (2008) Patient perspectives on the impact of fibromyalgia. Patient Educ Couns 73(1):114–120

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ware JE Jr, Sherbourne CD (1992) The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care 30(6):473–483

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Meenan RF, Gertman PM, Mason JH (1980) Measuring health status in arthritis. The arthritis impact measurement scales. Arthritis Rheum 23(2):146–152

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Buskila D, Neumann L (1996) Assessing functional disability and health status of women with fibromyalgia: validation of a Hebrew version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. J Rheumatol 23(5):903–906

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Neumann L, Berzak A, Buskila D (2000) Measuring health status in Israeli patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and widespread pain and healthy individuals: utility of the short form 36-item health survey (SF-36). Semin Arthritis Rheum 29(6):400–408

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Neumann L, Dudnik Y, Bolotin A, Buskila D (1999) Evaluation of a Hebrew version of the revised and expanded Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2) in patients with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 26(8):1816–1821

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Zachrisson O, Regland B, Jahreskog M, Kron M, Gottfries CG (2002) A rating scale for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (the FibroFatigue scale). J Psychosom Res 52(6):501–509

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Asberg M, Montgomery SA, Perris C, Schalling D, Sedvall G (1978) A comprehensive psychopathological rating scale. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl (271):5–27

  12. Andersson M, Bagby JR, Dyrehag L, Gottfries C (1998) Effects of staphylococcus toxoid vaccine on pain and fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. Eur J Pain 2(2):133–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sarzi-Puttini P, Atzeni F, Turiel M, Furlan R, Vulpio L, Carrabba M et al (2004) The Italian version of the FibroFatigue scale, a reliable tool for the evaluation of fibromyalgia symptoms. J Psychosom Res 56(2):213–216

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Garcia-Campayo J, Pascual A, Alda M, Marzo J, Magallon R, Fortes S (2006) The Spanish version of the FibroFatigue scale: validation of a questionnaire for the observer’s assessment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 28(2):154–160

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Lewin-Epstein N, Sagiv-Schifter T, Shabtai EL, Shmueli A (1998) Validation of the 36-item short-form Health Survey (Hebrew version) in the adult population of Israel. Med Care 36(9):1361–1370

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. McCarty DJ Jr, Gatter RA, Steele AD (1968) A twenty-pound dolorimeter for quantification of articular tenderness. Arthritis Rheum 11(5):696–698

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lundh HC, Wengstrom Y, Furst CJ (2008) Patterns of fatigue related to advanced disease and radiotherapy in patients with cancer-a comparative cross-sectional study of fatigue intensity and characteristics. Support Care Cancer 17:519–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Johansson S, Ytterberg C, Back B, Holmqvist LW, von Koch L (2008) The Swedish occupational fatigue inventory in people with multiple sclerosis. J Rehabil Med 40(9):737–743

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Iaboni A, Ibanez D, Gladman DD, Urowitz MB, Moldofsky H (2006) Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus: contributions of disordered sleep, sleepiness, and depression. J Rheumatol 33(12):2453–2457

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Riemsma RP, Rasker JJ, Taal E, Griep EN, Wouters JM, Wiegman O (1998) Fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of self-efficacy and problematic social support. Br J Rheumatol 37(10):1042–1046

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Fukuda K, Straus SE, Hickie I, Sharpe MC, Dobbins JG, Komaroff A (1994) The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group. Ann Intern Med 121(12):953–959

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Mease PJ, Russell IJ, Arnold LM, Florian H, Young JP Jr, Martin SA et al (2008) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial of pregabalin in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 35(3):502–514

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Russell IJ, Mease PJ, Smith TR, Kajdasz DK, Wohlreich MM, Detke MJ et al (2008) Efficacy and safety of duloxetine for treatment of fibromyalgia in patients with or without major depressive disorder: results from a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose trial. Pain 136:432–444

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Gendreau RM, Thorn MD, Gendreau JF, Kranzler JD, Riberio S, Gracely RH et al (2005) The efficacy of Milnacipran in Fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 32:1975–1985

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine 6, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Jacob N. Ablin

  2. Department of Medicine, Soroka Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel

    Lisa Odes

  3. Epidemiology Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel

    Lily Neumann

  4. Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine H, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beersheba, Israel

    Dan Buskila

Authors
  1. Jacob N. Ablin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lisa Odes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lily Neumann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dan Buskila
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacob N. Ablin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ablin, J.N., Odes, L., Neumann, L. et al. The Hebrew version of the FibroFatigue scale: validation of a questionnaire for assessment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Rheumatol Int 30, 1173–1176 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1122-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1122-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation