Psychometric performance of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire in a US sample

Author(s): Coughlin, C.

Journal/Book: Qual Life Res. 1998; 7: 2-6 Boundary Row, London, England SE1 8NH. Rapid Science Publishers. 127-134.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) in a sample of asthmatics from the USA, employing data from the Asthma Symptom Utility Index (ASUI) validation study. One hundred and sixty-one adults (66 men) undergoing standard care in an asthma clinic participated in the study (mean age = 34.7 +/- 10.7 years, mean duration of illness = 17.3 +/- 11.22 years and mean FEV1% predicted = 85.6% +/- 17.1%). The internal consistency reliability (proportional to) ranged from 0.90 (environment subscale) to 0.95 (overall score) and the 2 week reproducibility (ICC) ranged from 0.81 (activities subscale) to 0.93 (symptoms subscale). The AQLQ was significantly correlated with an asthma disease severity scale and the Health Utilities Index (p < 0.001). No relationship was found between the AQLQ score and FEV1% predicted. Men reported better overall quality of life (QoL), fewer activity limitations and less environmental exposure than women (p < 0.01), while patients with a high school education or less had more severe asthma and poorer QoL across all subscales (p < 0.001). This may reflect the differential experiences of asthma across gender and socioeconomic groups. The results suggest that the AQLQ may be a useful outcome measure for clinical trials conducted in the USA.

Note: Article Leidy NK, Medtap Int Inc, Ctr Hlth Outcomes Res, 7101 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 600, Bethesda,MD 20814 USA

Keyword(s): asthma; quality of life; methodology; measurement; psychometrics; OF-LIFE; SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS; CLINICAL-TRIALS; HEALTH; ADULTS; IMPACT; SCALE; IMPAIRMENT; INDICATORS; CHILDREN

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