The Development of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire: Original, Expanded, Brief, and Pediatric Versions.
Jason, Leonard A, Sunnquist, Madison · Frontiers in pediatrics · 2018 · DOI
Quick Summary
Researchers created a questionnaire called the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ) to help doctors and scientists consistently measure ME/CFS symptoms in patients. The questionnaire was refined over time and adapted for different groups, including children. This tool helps ensure that when people are diagnosed with ME/CFS, they're being assessed in the same way across different clinics and studies.
Why It Matters
Having a standardized, validated tool to measure ME/CFS symptoms is essential for improving diagnosis accuracy and ensuring patients receive proper care. This questionnaire enables researchers worldwide to use consistent methods, making study results more comparable and strengthening the evidence base for ME/CFS. For patients, better diagnostic tools mean fewer delays in diagnosis and more reliable identification of who has the condition.
Observed Findings
Multiple versions of the DSQ were successfully developed (original, expanded, brief, and pediatric) to assess ME/CFS symptoms
The questionnaire demonstrated very good test-retest reliability
Sensitivity and specificity measures were strong across validation studies
The DSQ showed good construct validity, predictive validity, and discriminant validity
The tool effectively captures symptoms from various established case definitions (CDC, Oxford, Canadian, ME/CFS)
Inferred Conclusions
Standardized symptom assessment is achievable through the DSQ and improves diagnostic reliability and validity for ME/CFS
A single questionnaire can be adapted across different populations (adults and children) while maintaining strong psychometric properties
The DSQ enables clearer characterization of individual patient illness profiles, supporting both clinical and research applications
Implementation of standardized assessment tools like the DSQ can reduce diagnostic variability across different clinical and research settings
Remaining Questions
How widely has the DSQ been adopted in clinical practice globally, and what barriers exist to its routine implementation?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This study does not prove that any particular cause of ME/CFS has been identified, nor does it establish treatment effectiveness. It is a methodological study focused on measurement tools rather than disease mechanisms or clinical outcomes. The study also does not prove that using this questionnaire alone is sufficient for diagnosis without additional clinical evaluation.