Psychometric Properties of the Farsi Version of ISAR Used in Iranian Emergency Centers Download PDF

Background and objective The rising trend of elderly population on the one hand and the relative high costs of relevant medical and care services on the other hand, highlight the importance of screening programs. Such programs demand fit tools to achieve considered objectives. ISAR, Identification of Seniors at Risk, was designed to screen those elders who are hospitalized in emergency centers, but are going to be discharged from hospital to home. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Farsi version of ISAR in Iranian elders. Method This is an observation-prospective study with a primary population of 190 elders aged>60. They were selected using conventional sampling method among elders who referred to the emergency centers of Sabzavar, Iran in 2016. Data was collected using demographic questionnaire, ISAR, Barthel’s index and GHQ-12 questionnaire at six months post-discharge and was analyzed using SPSS 19 in order to evaluate the psychometric properties of ISAR. Results Kappa coefficient of consistency and Cronbach’s alpha of ISAR scores, which was executed by two executers (inter-rater coefficient), were 0.79 and 0.52, respectively (P<0.001). Pearson’s correlation coefficient resulted from the concurrent execution of ISAR using Barthel’s index was 0.71. In addition, It was calculated 0.71 at six months post-discharge using GHQ-12 questionnaire which was significant at P<0.001. The best obtained sensitivity and specificity was 85% and 75%, respectively considering the cut-off point of ≥2 for ISAR. The area under curve (AUC) of ROC was 0.85 implying the high discrimination power of ISAR. Conclusion The Farsi version of ISAR shows sufficient reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity in Iranian seniors. It can be used as an auxiliary tool for the identification of seniors at risk (after six months from discharge) in Iranian emergency centers and can be enlisted in Iranian checkup tests for elders.