Validation and Application of the Dutch Fatigue Scale and the Dutch Exertion Fatigue Scale

The DUFS (scale coefficient H= .48; KR-20 = .79) is suitable as a measurement instrument for the assessment of patients' fatigue. The DUFS may be used reliably and validly for group-level comparisons.

The DEFS (scale coefficient H= .61; Cronbach's alpha = .91) is suitable as a measurement instrument for the assessment of patients' exertion fatigue. The DEFS may be used reliably and validly in clinical practice at individual level.

Scale items are considered weak if H < .40, medium if H < .50, and strong when H≥.50. Using these criteria, the DUFS may be classified as a high medium scale and the DEFS as a strong scale.

Comparisons of the average DUFS sum scores between nonfatigued and fatigued subjects, as well as between patients with chronic heart failure and post-natal women, and correlation coefficients performed with sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education) show that the DUFS may be used as a reliable and valid measurement tool for the accurate assessment of patients' fatigue. Comparison of the assessments of nonfatigued and fatigued domiciliary heart patients (self-assessment) and their significant others (proxy assessment) also show evidence of the reliability and validity of the DUFS as a measurement tool for the accurate assessment of patients' fatigue.

Comparison of the assessments of nonexertion fatigue and exertion fatigue between domiciliary heart patients (self-assessment) and their significant others (proxy assessment) show that the DEFS is a reliable and valid measurement tool for the accurate assessment of patients' exertion fatigue.