The Italian version of the General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS-IT): Psychometric properties in a sample with hip and knee replacement

Objective: To use the Italian version of the General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS-IT) to assess the psychometric properties in a sample of orthopedic patients. Methods: Participants were divided into sleepless and non-sleepless according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). Reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. To evaluate responsiveness, the scale was administered a second time after the rehabilitation program. Results: The scale was administered to the 158 patients recruited. The GSDS-IT had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.752) and good responsiveness (ICC of 0.78). The optimal cut-off point for the GSDS-IT was 48.5. Conclusion: The GSDS-IT was demonstrated to be a valid and rapid tool to detect the presence of sleep disorders in a clinical setting in patients admitted to an intensive care unit and allowed the detection of the onset one week after admission and persisting until the time of discharge.