Theoretical and methodological review for the validation of clinical scales: application to the MG-ADL in the Mexican population

Laura E. Dominguez-Bolaños, Carrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México
Elizabeth León-Manríquez, Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermería, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México. México
Guisety López-Cantera, Coordinación de Investigación en Enfermería, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, México
Juan Pineda-Olvera, Carrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México

Introduction: The Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale has been widely used in clinical and research studies. This instrument has demonstrated sensitivity in detecting changes in symptoms related to activities of daily living and their relationship with disease progression. Objective: To gather documentary scientific evidence on the validation of the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale and to assess the need to carry out a validation of the MG-ADL in the Mexican population. Method: A bibliographic review was conducted on the validation of the MG-ADL scale in other countries. The information search was carried out in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, ClinicalKey and ScienceDirect. For information retrieval, the keywords myasthenia gravis, MG-ADL, scale validation, quality of life and Mexican population were used, according to the DeCS and MeSH thesauri, as well as Boolean operators, which allowed us to expand the number of articles found. All articles referring to the MG-ADL scale and its validation in other countries were considered. The year of publication was considered to be after 1999. Results: Fifteen articles were selected that addressed the validation of the MG-ADL scale in other countries, as well as the process of validating clinical scales. Conclusions: The documentary review showed that the MG-ADL scale is a feasible, reliable, and valid clinical tool to determine the degree of disease impact on patients’ daily activities.

Keywords: Myasthenia gravis. MG-ADL. Validation of escales. Quality of life. Mexican population.