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Table 6 Construct validity – Hypotheses testing

From: Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the German Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI-GE)

Hypothesis- Group Comparison

Expected Outcome

Results

Was the Hypothesis met?

CSI score of the HC group

HC group scoring the lowest

HC group showed lowest mean CSI-GE score, significantly different from all but the RCP group

Yes

CSI score of the FMS group

FMS group scoring the highest of all pain groups

highest mean CSI-GE score, significantly different from all but the MCP group

Yes

CSI score of the MCP group

MCP group scoring high in comparison to other pain groups but probably lower than the FMS group

Second highest mean CSI-GE score of all 5 pain groups

Yes

CSI score of the RCP group

RCP group scoring low in comparison to other pain groups

Lowest mean CSI-GE score of all 5 pain groups but higher than HC group (although not significant)

Yes

CSI Score of the RAR group

RAR group Scoring lower in comparison to FMS and MCP

Lower mean CSI–GE score than in FMS and in MCP groups

Yes

Questionnaire- Correlations with CSI-GE Score

Expected Outcome

Kendal’s τ, the associated Holm adjusted p value and classification

Was the Hypothesis met?

CS is related to subjective pain sensitivity

High correlation between CSI-GE and PSQminor

τ = 0.23; p < 0.001; low

No

CS is related to somatization or general symptom load

At least medium correlation between CSI-GE and (a) PHQ15 and (b) FSQ subscale SSS

a: τ = 0.57; p < 0.001; medium

b: τ = 0.56; p < 0.001; medium

Yes

CS is related to spread of pain

At least medium correlation between CSI-GE and FSQ subscale WPI

τ = 0.47; p < 0.001; low

No

CS is related to neuropathic pain characteristics

At least medium correlation between CSI-GE and PainDETECT

τ = 0.43; p < 0.001; low

No

CS is related to chronification of pain

At least medium correlation between CSI-GE and MPSS

τ = 0.32; p < 0.001; low

No

CS is related to pain catastrophizing

At least medium correlation between CSI-GE and PCS

τ = 0.28; p < 0.001; low

No

How many Hypotheses were met?

6/11 (55%)

  1. Abbreviations: CS central sensitization, HC healthy control, FMS Fibromyalgia, MCP multisite chronic pain, RCP reginal chronic pain, RAR Rheumatoid arthritis in remission, PHQ15 Patient Health Questionnaire 15, FSQ-SSS Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire-Somatic Severity Score, FSQ-WPI Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire-Widespread Pain Index, DASS Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, PCS Pain Catastrophising Scale, MPSS Mainz Pain Staging System, PSQm Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire minor