Qualitative Interviews to Assess the Content Validity and Usability of the Electronic Raynaud Diary in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective To better understand the symptoms and impacts of Raynaud phenomenon (RP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to evaluate the content validity and usability of a new electronic patient‐reported outcome (PRO) measure for RP: the Raynaud Diary. Methods The Raynaud Diary was developed as a daily eDiary for assessing the number and duration of symptomatic Raynaud attacks; worst pain, numbness, tingling, and discomfort in the fingers; and overall disease severity, captured using the Raynaud's Condition Score. The Raynaud Diary was debriefed in two waves of qualitative interviews with adults with self‐reported RP secondary to SSc. All interviews included open‐ended questions about participants' experiences of RP. Results Participants (N = 39) had a mean age of 55.1 years, and 87% were female. Frequently reported RP symptoms were color change (reported by all participants), numbness (90%), tingling (82%), pain (77%), and discomfort (72%). Common attack triggers included temperature‐related factors and stress. Participants reported being unable to be outside or do outdoor activities and had problems gripping objects. All participants demonstrated understanding of the Raynaud Diary instructions. Most participants indicated that they would be able to use the Raynaud Diary to record the worst severity of individual RP symptoms in the previous 24 hours. Conclusion Patients with RP secondary to SSc bear a heavy symptom burden. The Raynaud Diary is a content valid PRO measure that captures the most frequent symptoms of RP in patients with SSc.