Reliability and validity of the post COVID-19 condition stigma questionnaire: A prospective cohort study 2022 Damant et al

Summary

Background
Many of the 10–20% percent of COVID-19 survivors who develop Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC, or Long COVID) describe experiences suggestive of stigmatization, a known social determinant of health. Our objective was to develop an instrument, the Post COVID-19 Condition Stigma Questionnaire (PCCSQ), with which to quantify and characterise PCC-related stigma.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the reliability and validity of the PCCSQ. Patients referred to our Post COVID-19 Clinic in the Canadian City of Edmonton, Alberta between May 29, 2021 and May 24, 2022 who met inclusion criteria (attending an academic post COVID-19 clinic; age ≥18 years; persistent symptoms and impairment at ≥ 12 weeks since PCR positive acute COVID-19 infection; English-speaking; internet access; consenting) were invited to complete online questionnaires, including the PCCSQ. Analyses were conducted to estimate the instrument's reliability, construct validity, and association with relevant instruments and defined health outcomes.

Findings
Of the 198 patients invited, 145 (73%) met inclusion criteria and completed usable questionnaires. Total Stigma Score (TSS) on the PCCSQ ranged from 40 to 174/200. The mean (SD) was 103.9 (31.3). Cronbach's alpha was 0.97. Test-retest reliability was 0.92. Factor analysis supported a 6-factor latent construct. Subtest reliabilities were >0.75. Individuals reporting increased TSS occurred across all demographic groups. Increased risk categories included women, white ethnicity, and limited educational opportunities. TSS was positively correlated with symptoms, depression, anxiety, loneliness, reduced self-esteem, thoughts of self-harm, post-COVID functional status, frailty, EQ5D5L score, and number of ED visits. It was negatively correlated with perceived social support, 6-min walk distance, and EQ5D5L global rating. Stigma scores were significantly increased among participants reporting employment status as disabled.

Interpretation
Our findings suggested that the PCCSQ is a valid, reliable tool with which to estimate PCC-related stigma. It allows for the identification of patients reporting increased stigma and offers insights into their experiences.

Open access, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(22)00484-9/fulltext

 

Why does the Lancet like psychogenic claim so much?

 

So, the gaslighting and discrimination will actually be used to excuse even more gaslighting and discrimination, while placing all the blame and responsibility on the discriminated population, even though the stigma is not a property of the patient, but rather of the medical systems that are the very source of that discrimination, a fact that is completely obfuscated here. There is no abuse without an abuser. It actually manages to discuss discrimination without ever putting any blame on the very people and institutions responsible for it, because it is essentially those same things examining this, from their perspective, the perspective of the gaslighters.

Which is very, very on brand. Gaslighting will continue until complaints of gaslighting cease. Which will literally be never, because chronic illness keeps being created all the time, it never ends, there is never reaching the end of this population, it will never stop coming. This is seriously like being howling mad at having to keep scooping out water from a leak but being even more angry at the idea of fixing the leak.

It really needs to be said that nothing good will come out of medicine that does not rely on patient leadership, they are simply not capable of this, as out of their depth as a tribe of hunter-gatherers are to a squadron of fighter jets armed to the hilt. Not just involvement, but actually leading the effort. This is the blind trying to make their way while ignoring those who can see. Absurd.