Measurement properties of the falls efficacy scale in patients on hemodialysis

Background The measurement properties of the falls efficacy scale have not been evaluated in patients on hemodialysis. This study determined the inter- and intrarater reliability, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and limits of agreements of the falls efficacy scale in patients on hemodialysis. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 65 patients (57.5 [+ or -] 13.9 years, 63.1% male) on hemodialysis. The fear of falling was assessed by two previously trained raters using the falls efficacy scale. The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and Bland-Altman plot were calculated to assess the inter- and intrarater reliability of the falls efficacy scale. Results The interrater intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91, and the intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.78, representing excellent interrater and good intrarater reliability. The standard error of measurement for inter- and intrarater assessments were 2.99 and 4.46, and the minimal detectable change for inter- and intrarater assessments were 9.26 and 12.33, respectively. The interrater mean difference score was 0.26 (95% limits of agreement: - 8.01 to 8.53), and the intrarater mean difference score was - 1.06 (95% limits of agreement: - 13.39 to 11.27). Conclusion In patients on hemodialysis, the falls efficacy scale showed excellent and good inter- and intrarater reliability, respectively. Additionally, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and limits of agreements of the falls efficacy scale score were satisfactory. Keywords: Fear, Accidental falls, Chronic kidney failure, Renal dialysis, Observer variation