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- Validation of brain fogginess questionnaire (BFSQ)
Clinical Trial
Validation of brain fogginess questionnaire (BFSQ)
The purpose of this study is to verify and establish the clinical, utility, and accuracy of the questionnaire on symptoms of brain fogginess (BFSQ). This is a survey study. Patients presenting to GI clinics commonly report Brain fogginess (BF). BF encompasses a constellation of neurocognitive symptoms including slow thinking, difficulty focusing, confusion, impaired judgment, lack of concentration, poor short-term memory, or a haziness in thought processes (Ocon, 2013). In the gastrointestinal (GI) population, BF is often reported along w/ other symptoms such as gas & bloating. A previous cross-sectional observational study found an association between BF, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and GI symptoms (Rao et al., 2018). BF remains poorly characterized, in part due to its multidimensional symptoms. A psychometrically tested patient-completed questionnaire for assessment of BF, that reflects issues of importance to both patients and clinicians, is lacking. We have recently developed a questionnaire (BFSQ) and completed Phase I testing and item reduction. In this phase II study, we wish to further test & validate the psychometric aspects of the questionnaire for clinical use. Subjects will complete the BSFQ at the initial visit, and again within 1-3 weeks after administration of the first questionnaire, before starting any standard (clinical) of care treatment. Treatment given to any patient comprises of standard of care medical management. This study does not involve any treatment interventions. Data from the baseline BFSQ questionnaire will be used to evaluate the degree to which the questionnaire examined similar symptoms from different perspectives.
- Digestive System
- Bloating
- Brain Fogg
- Brain Fogginess
- Distention
- Gas
- Gastrointestinal
- Questionnaire
- SIBO
- Survey
Eligibility Criteria
- List the inclusion/exclusion criteria: Inclusion Criteria: All patients aged 18 years or older, with unexplained abdominal gas, bloating, distension, gastrointestinal symptoms, and either symptoms of brain fogginess for > 3 months or those without symptoms of brain fogginess. Exclusion Criteria: Patients aged less than 18 years old. Patients with active ulcer disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease. Patients with antibiotics use within past 6 weeks. Patients with known neurologic or neuropsychiatric problems.