Validation of interactive voice response system administration of the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire

Background: The Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ) is a written, self‐administered instrument measuring quality of life in IBD. We assessed the validity of an interactive voice response system (IVRS) as a new mode of administering the SIBDQ. Methods: An IVRS was designed using prerecorded questions to collect data via touchtone telephone. Subjects with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were randomized into 2 groups with different orders of administration: written, self‐administered followed by IVRS (S‐I) or IVRS followed by written, self‐administered (I‐S). Half of the S‐I group was also randomized to receive a second IVRS. Sixty‐four subjects were studied: 30 in S‐I, 34 in I‐S. Results: The mean SIBDQ scores were not different between written and IVRS modes (P = 0.26) with r = 0.93. IVRS scores were lower in active than inactive CD (36.1 ± 9.6 versus 54.7 ± 8.6, P < 0.001) and lower in active than inactive UC (40.8 ± 9.6 versus 59.8 ± 10.0, P < 0.001). Mean scores correlated highly with disease activity indices, and were not different between first and second IVRS administrations (P = 0.85) with r = 0.92. IVRS had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.90). Conclusions: IVRS administration of the SIBDQ yields results similar to written self‐administration, with excellent procedural validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009)