Derivation of a short form of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire

Aim To derive and evaluate a short form of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire. Methods Data from three previous studies of dentine hypersensitivity (n = 353) were pooled and randomly divided into half. Ten- and 15-item short forms were derived in the first half of the data using the item impact and regression methods. The four short forms were evaluated in the second half. Results The 10 and 15-item versions of the regression short form detected impacts in 37% and 61% of participants, respectively, compared to 68% and 93% using the item impact method. All short forms had internal consistency (Cronbach's α) >0.84 and test-retest reliability (ICC) >0.89. All correlated with the long form (all r > 0.93, p <0.001) and with the effect of the mouth on everyday life (all r ≥ 0.73, p <0.001). None of the short forms detected a treatment effect in two trials although all four showed a tendency to detect an effect in a trial where the long form had done so. Conclusions The 15-item short form derived with the item impact method performed better than other short forms and appears to be sufficiently robust for use in individual patients.