Reliability of Retrospectively Assessed Categorical Menstrual Cycle Length Data

被引:12
作者
Bachand, Annette M. [1 ]
Cragin, Lori A. [1 ]
Reif, John S. [1 ]
机构
[1] Colorado State Univ, Dept Environm & Radiol Hlth Sci, Ft Collins, CO 80523 USA
关键词
Reliability (Epidemiology); Menstrual Cycle; Questionnaires; Research Design; PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN; RISK;
D O I
10.1016/j.annepidem.2009.03.015
中图分类号
R1 [预防医学、卫生学];
学科分类号
1004 ; 120402 ;
摘要
PURPOSE: Prospective diaries have been shown to be more reliable than retrospective questionnaires for the assessment of menstrual cycle length collected as Continuous data. We investigated the reliability of retrospectively collected categorical cycle length data. METHODS: In 2005, 67 women from Illinois and Vermont completed a menstrual diary and retrospective questionnaire. Based on commonly used cutpoints for normal cycle length, we created 2-, 3- and 4-category cycle length variables, calculated percent agreement, Cohen's kappa and prevalence index and investigated factors associated with accurate reporting. RESULTS: Overall agreement between diary and questionnaire responses was highest for the 2-category cycle length variable, < =35 vs. > 35 days (93%), and the 3-category variable, <25, 25-35 and > 35 days (82%). While Cohen's kappa fell below 0.6, its magnitude was limited by a high prevalence of "normal" cycle length. Women with regular cycles were slightly more likely to have concordant responses. CONCLUSIONS: In epidemiologic studies where cycle length categories are of interest, the limitations of prospective diaries in terms of cost, compliance, attrition and power Must be carefully weighed against the potentially decreased reliability of questionnaire data. Anti Epidemiol 2009; 19:501-503. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:501 / 503
页数:3
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