Rasch Analysis of Cooperation Measure of the adolescent Orthodontic Patient in Medellin

Introduction: Cooperation is a relevant therapeutic factor in achieving a successful orthodontic treatment result. In the case of adolescents, knowing cooperation level allows the orthodontist to consider behaviors and attitudes that contribute to treatment purposes. Objective: To Analyze the evidence of validity that measures collaboration in the orthodontic patient proposed by Slakter Albino, Fox and Lewis, in accordance with Wolfe and Smith guidelines. Methods: Validation study nested in a cohort study in which 132 adolescent patients under orthodontic treatment in Medellin Colombia were monitored between January 2014 and November 2015. It was estimated the locations and statistics for the adjustment of items, reliability, one-dimensionality and differential functioning by clinical and demographic characteristics of the participants Wright's map is presented. Results: Four items were removed from the scale. From the remaining six, a measure was obtained with a reliability of 0.74 and the capability to explain 74.9% of the variance. Differential Item Functioning was identified by type of malocclusion and by interceptive orthodontic history. Conclusion: The validity of the measure is affected by limitations in the generalization of the construct according to relevant clinical characteristics of adolescents.