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Validation of the genital herpes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (GHerpTSQ) in status and change versions

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Abstract

A new measure of treatment satisfaction (GHerpTSQ) for recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) was validated and used to evaluate two therapeutic strategies widely used for the management of HSV: episodic treatment, where individual herpes outbreaks are treated as they arise; suppressive therapy, where treatment is taken daily to prevent HSV outbreaks. Satisfaction with treatment is important since daily dosing with suppressive therapy is necessary in the absence of symptoms. A 12-item questionnaire was designed using a modified form of the Diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (DTSQ). The psychometric properties of the GHerpTSQ were evaluated within a sample of 125 Canadians with a history of HSV (type 1, 2) infection participating in a 48 week randomised cross-over trial. Factor analysis suggested that the items can be analysed as two separate subscales corresponding to Control/effectiveness, and Convenience/lifestyle; the single item concerning side effects was retained for separate analysis. Forced one-factor analysis showed that the two subscales can be combined to obtain a total score relating to overall treatment satisfaction. The GHerpTSQ has good internal reliability, clear structure with little overlap of subscales and evidence of good sensitivity to changes in treatment.

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Abbreviations

DTSQ:

Diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire

DTSQc:

Diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire change version

DTSQs:

Diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire status version

EESS:

Participants randomised to receive episodic therapy for the first 24 study weeks then crossed over to suppressive therapy

GH:

Genital herpes

GHerpTSQ:

Genital herpes treatment satisfaction questionnaire

GHerpTSQc:

Genital herpes treatment satisfaction questionnaire change version

GHerpTSQs:

Genital herpes treatment satisfaction questionnaire status version

HIVTSQ:

HIV treatment satisfaction questionnaire

RetTSQ:

Diabetic retinopathy treatment satisfaction questionnaire

RGHQoL:

Recurrent genital herpes quality of life questionnaire

SSEE:

Participants randomised to receive suppressive therapy for the first 24 study weeks then crossed over to episodic therapy

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Nathan Asher Taback

  2. St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, M5B 1W8, ON, Canada

    Nathan Asher Taback

  3. Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 OEX, UK

    Clare Bradley

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  1. Nathan Asher Taback
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  2. Clare Bradley
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Correspondence to Nathan Asher Taback.

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Taback, N.A., Bradley, C. Validation of the genital herpes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (GHerpTSQ) in status and change versions. Qual Life Res 15, 1043–1052 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-0048-2

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