A Study on the Reliability and Validity of the Five-Visceral Weak Children Questionnaire for Children with Anorexia

식욕부진 소아 대상 오장허약아 설문지의 신뢰도 및 타당도 연구

Objectives This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Five-Visceral Weak Children Questionnaire (FWCQ) in childhood anorexia and to propose optimal cutoff values. Methods We conducted two surveys, spaced one month apart, targeting the parents of 366 children aged 2-9 years who had been diagnosed with anorexia for at least one month. To evaluate the reliability of the FWCQ, we calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficient and employed the test-retest method. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed between the FWCQ and each visceral question, and discriminant validity was assessed by comparing responses from the anorexic and normal groups. Furthermore, we determined the cutoff value of the spleen weak score, which is closely associated with appetite, for the anorexic group. Results The first survey yielded responses from 336 participants, followed by 171 responses in the second survey conducted one month later. The FWCQ demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.776), and test-retest results were consistent. The correlation coefficients between the FWCQ and each visceral question were all statistically significant. Moreover, significant discriminant validity was observed between the anorexic and normal groups in the FWCQ score and the heart, spleen, and kidney weak scores. The optimal cutoff value for the spleen weak score in the anorexic group was found to be 5.5 points (with a sensitivity of 73.44% and specificity of 66.47%). Conclusions The FWCQ exhibited strong reliability and validity in children with anorexia.