In post #93, island finn wrote, "I find that the gap between moderate and severe is huge. Is it possible, desirable to put an in-between category like 'strong'?"
Island Finn, I think we should go with the David Bell survey for now, just as it is. It is probably the best of the questionnaires that has been used in other research studies. I agree that it is far from perfect. At the lower end, for example, the severity is not stretched out enough. People who are near death are lumped in with people who are not bedridden all the time.
I should probably write to Dr. Bell to ask him if we can use it.
I'd love for this group to develop a new questionnaire, but if we take time to do that now we'll never get this XMRV survey live.
Island Finn, I think we should go with the David Bell survey for now, just as it is. It is probably the best of the questionnaires that has been used in other research studies. I agree that it is far from perfect. At the lower end, for example, the severity is not stretched out enough. People who are near death are lumped in with people who are not bedridden all the time.
I should probably write to Dr. Bell to ask him if we can use it.
I'd love for this group to develop a new questionnaire, but if we take time to do that now we'll never get this XMRV survey live.