Scale Analysis

One of the most widespread and commonly used tools for assessing quality of life is the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). This tool was first introduced in 1981 by Bergner et al., following six years of analysis and study. The SIP was designed to be applicable to all individuals, regardless of the chronic illness they suffer from, or their social and cultural background.

Purpose

The purpose of the SIP is to evaluate the functionality and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with a chronic illness, and it is used across various patient categories.

Scoring of the Questions

The SIP consists of a total of 136 questions. Its length is its only drawback, as it requires more time to complete compared to other questionnaires. The average time needed for completion is 30 minutes. These questions are divided into 12 subcategories, which in turn fall under two broader categories: physical functioning and psychosocial functioning.
Each question has two possible answers: “Yes” or “No”, and represents a behavioral disturbance, which is then mapped to the underlying disease.

Statistical Analysis

The overall score derived from each patient’s responses is calculated using weighted indices, which reflect the relative importance of each question.

Validity and Reliability

The SIP is considered a tool with high levels of validity and reliability.

References

Authors: Bergner, Bobbitt, Carter & Gilson
Keywords: Scale analysis, Patient, Sickness Impact Profile, Chronic illness, Quality of life