Qualifying thirst distress in the acute hospital setting – validation of a patient-reported outcome measure

Sharon Carey; Jacob Waller; Lucy Wang; Suzie Ferrie

doi:10.26550/2209-1092.1156

Authors

Dr Sharon Carey Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney
Dr Jacob Waller Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Lucy Yueming Wang University of Sydney
Dr Suzie Ferrie Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26550/2209-1092.1156

Keywords:

fasting, thirst distress, thirst discomfort scale, visual analogue scale

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine validity and sensitivity of two visual analogue scales (VASs), measuring thirst intensity and thirst distress, and compare them with a validated thirst discomfort scale (TDS).

Methods: This is a non-interventional, prospective and cross-sectional study. Researchers recruited 161 patients from an acute surgical hospital, who were identified at time of interaction as fasting. Data was collected using a questionnaire, which included the TDS. Criterion validity and construct validity was tested for the two VASs. Sensitivity was assessed based on the amount of time fasting from solid foods or fluids.

Results: Results showed the VAS for thirst intensity, the VAS for thirst distress and the average of the VAS scores correlated with the TDS (ρ=0.66, 0.81 and 0.72 respectively, all p<0.001).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the VAS is a valid and sensitive patient-reported outcome measure for thirst distress in fasting patients.