Development of a postal health status questionnaire to identify people with dyspepsia in the general population.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a postal health status questionnaire which will identify people with dyspepsia in the general population.

DESIGN

Validation against telephone interview and post re-post determination of reliability.

SETTING

A general practice population in the north of England.

SUBJECTS

A random sample of adults aged 20-69 years inclusive chosen from the general population.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Validity has been checked against telephone interview. A kappa statistic has been calculated for each question and clinical category.

RESULTS

Compared with interview the questionnaire is a valid, comprehensive and easily understood record of symptomatology. The kappa statistics (mean value 0.92) indicate a very reliable questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

The questionnaire accurately and reliably identifies people with dyspeptic symptoms.