The validity and reliability of the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) for patients with burns in the Turkish society

This study is performed methodologically with the aim of evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) in Turkish society. Patients admitted to the Baskent University Ankara Hospital, Burn Unit constituted the population of the study and the sample was made up of 53 patients. In order to carry out the research, written approval from Lieneke Draaijers who had developed to the POSAS, and Ethics Board of Clinical Research were obtained. Data were collected using OSAS and PSAS, survey form and plexiglas. Firstly, language validity and context validity were performed using expert opinions. In the application phase of the study, scales and survey forms were applied in 53 patients. PSAS was completed by patients and OSAS was completed by two observers separately. Reliability of the test-retest was measured applying the scales in 25 patients after 2 weeks. Data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis variance analysis and Mann Whitney-U test. Content validity was determined using KMO and Barlett Test and structure validity was performed by factor analyzes; reliability was evaluated using internal consistency and compliance between the observers and the Cronbach Alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient. The 7th item in the POSAS, as was the case in the original scale, was excluded from the points of the scale and evaluated separately. Results of this study, 62.3% of the patients were found females, mean age was =39.75±1.76 years, duration after the burn was =4.02±3.9 months, 66% of the patients had second degree burns, factor weights were in appropriate range according to AFA, the 6 item single factor structure of the original scale was valid and had high consistency index according to DFA, ICC between the 7th item and the total points was directly proportional, inner consistency was highly reliable (PSAS α=0.992; OSAS α=0.993), consistency between the observers was high (α=0.952, r=0.909), however, the consistency between the patients and the observers were found to be low (r=0.465). In conclusion, POSAS was determined to be a valid and reliable scale in patients with burns in the Turkish Society and necessary recommendations were made. Key Words: Burn, scar, scar assessment scale, validity and reliability.