Measuring illness insight in patients with alcohol-related cognitive dysfunction using the Q8 questionnaire: a validation study

Figures & data

Table 1 Descriptives of the total group (N=97) and differences between KS (N=42) and AUD patients (N=55)

	Total (n=97)		KS (n=42)		AUD (n=55)		ta	U	P-value	Cohen’s d
Education (mode and range)	4 (2–7)		4 (2–6)		4 (2–7)			1,137	0.89
Alcohol use in years (range)	2–55		2–48		2–55
Abstinence in days (range)	42–693		42–693		42–186		1.14		0.26
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	Mean	SD
Age (years)	55.84	8.66	57.36	8.77	54.67	8.47	1.52		0.13
Cognitive measures
NART	92.43	15.10	89.67	14.64	94.55	15.55	−1.59		0.12
PSI*	81.37	15.09	75.2	13.85	86.06	14.39	−3.70		0.00	–0.77
CVLT delayed free recall	5.79	4.72	2.4	3.76	8.38	3.61	−7.94		0.00	−1.62
MSET	2.42	1.27	1.76	1.10	2.93	1.15	−5.03		0.00	−1.04
Questionnaires
DEX-S	21.63	11.08	19.60	11.13	23.18	10.88	−1.59		0.11	−0.33
DEX-I	23.21	12.95	28.40	12.01	19.24	12.31	3.67		0.00	0.75
DEX-D	−1.58	16.39	−8.81	15.97	3.95	14.57	3.67		0.00	−0.83
Q8	3.34	2.15	2.48	2.17	4.00	1.90	−3.69		0.00	−0.75

Notes: Values in bold indicate P<0.05. Education level was assessed using seven categories in accordance with the Dutch educational system (1= less than primary school; 7= university degree). NART, National Adult Reading Test (standard score);⁵⁴

* PSI (standard score) of the WAIS-III. CVLT, California Verbal Learning Test (raw score); MSET, modified six elements test (standard score); DEX-S, DEX-self (raw score); DEX-I, DEX-informant (raw score); DEX-D, discrepancy score of DEX-self (raw score) minus DEX-informant (raw score).

a Independent samples t-tests. Q8 total score maximum =8.

Abbreviations: AUD, alcohol use disorder; KS, Korsakoff syndrome; PSI, Processing Speed Index; SD, standard deviation; WAIS-III: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Third Edition.

Table 2 Pearson’s correlations between the Q8, the DEX, the CVLT, the MSET, and PSI

	DEX total score			Neuropsychological measures
	Self	Informant	Discrepancy	CVLT delayed free recall	MSET	PSI
Q8	0.26*	−0.30**	0.41**	0.28**	0.35**	0.26*

Notes:

* P<0.05;

** P<0.01. Discrepancy = DEX-self score minus DEX-informant score. Q8 total score maximum =8.

Abbreviations: DEX, Dysexecutive Questionnaire; CVLT, California Verbal Learning Test; MSET, modified six elements test; PSI, Processing Speed Index.

Table S1 English version of the Q8

Q8 questions	Score
1. Why are you here? __________________________________________________	___________(0/1)
2. Do you feel that you are ill? YES/NO	___________(0/1)
3. Which disease or disorder do you have? __________________________________________________	___________(0/1)
4. What is the cause of this? __________________________________________________	___________(0/1)
5. Do you suffer psychologically or do you experience feelings of guilt? YES/NO	___________(0/1)
6. Do you experience limitations in your professional life, your family life, or in your social life? YES/NO	___________(0/1)
7. How can we help you? __________________________________________________	___________(0/1)
8. Do you think you can be treated? YES/NO	___________(0/1)
Q8 total score	___________(0/8)

Notes: Adapted and translated from Bourgeois ML, Koleck M, Jais E. Validation de l’échelle d’insight Q8 et évaluation de la conscience de la maladie chez 121 patients hospitalisés en psychiatrie [Validation of the insight Q8 scale and evaluation of the awareness disorder in 121 psychiatric inpatients]. Ann Med Psychol. 2002;160:512–517. French. Copyright © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission.¹

SchmandBLindeboomJVan HarskampFDe Nederlandse Leestest voor Volwassenen Handleiding [The Dutch National Adult Reading Test Manual]Amsterdam, the NetherlandsPearson Information and Assessment B.V.1992 Dutch

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BourgeoisMLKoleckMJaisEValidation de l’échelle d’insight Q8 et évaluation de la conscience de la maladie chez 121 patients hospitalisés en psychiatrie [Validation of the insight Q8 scale and evaluation of the awareness disorder in 121 psychiatric inpatients]Ann Med Psychol2002160512517 French

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