Canine Pruritus Visual Analog Scale: how does it capture owners’ perception of their pet's itching level?

• Published in: Veterinary dermatology 2019-10, Vol.30 (5), p.377-e111
• Main Authors: Young, Amanda J., Torres, Sheila M. F., Koch, Sandra N., Eisenschenk, Melissa N. C., Rendahl, Aaron K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dogs; Female; Humans; Itching; Male; Ownership; Perception; Perceptions; Pruritus; Pruritus - pathology; Pruritus - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; Veterinary medicine; Visual Analog Scale; Visual perception
• ISSN: 0959-4493; 1365-3164
• DOI: 10.1111/vde.12761

Background Accurate measurement of pruritus severity is difficult in veterinary medicine. Objectives To determine how the changes in Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) scores at follow‐up visits agree with the owners’ perceptions of improvement of their pet's pruritus. Animals One hundred and ninety two pruritic dogs were included in the prospective study and 196 in the retrospective study. Methods and materials Owners were randomly assigned into five groups and PVAS scores were recorded during two consecutive visits. Group A: previous scores were shown before completing the PVAS; Group B: PVAS was completed then owners were shown previous scores and asked to repeat the PVAS; Group C: PVAS was completed as reported previously; Group D: PVAS and a 0–10 verbal scale (VS) were completed. Retrospectively, PVAS scores were analysed during at least three consecutive visits. The average percentage and kappa agreements were calculated for all groups. In addition, PVAS and VS scores were compared in Group D. Results The average percentage and kappa agreements were higher in groups A (96%; 0.81), B [before (80%; 0.54), after (82%; 0.59) previous score] and D (85%; 0.47). Group C (79%; 0.37) had the lowest agreement. PVAS and VS scores were not significantly different (P = 0.56) in Group D. The average percentage and kappa agreements for the retrospective study were 50.8% and 0.25. The highest values (63%; 0.355) were noted at 30–60 day visit intervals. Conclusions and Clinical importance Showing owners previous scores could improve how PVAS captures the owner's perception of their dog's itching level. Résumé Contexte La mesure précise de la sévérité du prurit est difficile en médecine vétérinaire. Objectifs Déterminer comment les changements de la PVAS (Pruritus Visual Analog Scale) aux visites de suivi est en accord avec les perceptions de l'amélioration du prurit par les propriétaires de l'animal. Animaux Cent quatre vingt deux chiens prurigineux ont été inclus dans une étude prospective et 196 dans étude rétrospective. Matériel et méthodes Les propriétaires ont été assignés au hasard dans cinq groupes, et les scores de PVAS ont été enregistrés ou cours de deux visites consécutives. Groupe A: les scores précédents ont été montrés avant de compléter la PVAS; Groupe B: la PVAS a été complétée quand les propriétaires ont vus les scores précédents et demandés de répéter la PVAS; Groupe C: la PVAS a été remplie tel qu'indiqué précédemment; Groupe D: la PVAS et une éch