Validation of the Quality of Life Scale (QLS) Malay Version among Patients with Schizophrenia

Objectives: The Quality Of Life Scale (QLS) is an English version of semi-structured interview that assesses quality of life (QOL) among patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the QLS into Malay version for more widespread use in clinical practice. Methods: This study was conducted on 30 schizophrenia patients attending Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II) and Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). The QLS was translated into Malay language using forward and backward translation method. The final Malay version of the QLS was tested for the content validity by two experienced psychiatrists. Its face validity was tested on 10 Malay patients with schizophrenia. The internal consistency analysis was performed by measuring Cronbach's alpha in all four domains of QLS Results: The Malay version QLS was found to have good content and face validity. It also displayed good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of between 0.87 and 0.93. Conclusion: The Malay version QLS is a good tool to be used in future research to assess quality of life of patients with schizophrenia

Severity of Tardive Dyskinesia and Negative Symptoms are Associated with Poor Quality of Life in Schizophrenia Patients

Objective: Aim of this study is to determine the association between tardive dyskinesia (TD) and quality of life (QOL). Methods: Seventy-one stable schizophrenia patients with TD attending psychiatric clinic at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab H (HRPZ II) or Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) between January to November 2011 were assessed by a single rater. TD, QOL and psychopathology were assessed using Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Quality of Life Scale (QLS) and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) respectively. The main outcome in this study was QLS total score. Descriptive analysis, simple linear regression and multiple linear regressions were appropriately used in data analysis. Results: Majority of subjects were unemployed (73.2%), single (63.4%), Malay (98.6%) male (70.4%), and on typical antipsychotics before onset of TD (95.8%). The mean duration of illness and mean duration on treatment were 22 (SD 9.9) and 21.8 (SD 10.1) respectively. Mild, moderate and severe TD was experienced by 54.9, 32.4 and 12.7 % of subjects in that order. The mean QLS total score was 52.11 (SD 26.7) with the majority of subjects (76.1%) scored lower than mid score indicating low level of QOL. Employment status, marital status, PANSS negative symptoms and severity of TD were negatively associated with QOL. Conclusions: These fíndiugs convey important message to the health care providers to recognize QOL was significantly and negatively associated with severity of TD and negative symptoms. Further, low QOL was also associated with the subjects being single, unemployed or partially employed

Severity of Tardive Dyskinesia and Negative Symptoms are Associated with Poor Quality of Life in Schizophrenia Patients

ABSTRACT Obiective: Aim of this study is to determine the association between tardive dyskinesia (TD) and quality of life (QOL). Methods: Seventy-one stable schizophrenia patients with TD attending psychiatric clinic at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZ II) or Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) between January to November 20ll were assessed by a single rater. TD, QOL and psychopathology were assessed using Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Quality of Life Scale (QLS) and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) respectively. The main outcome in this study was QLS total score. Descriptive analysis, simple linear regression and multiple linear regressions were appropriately used in data analysis. Results: Majority of subjects were unemployed (73.27o), single (63.47o), Malay (98.6Vo) male (70,4%), and on typical antipsychotics before onset of TD (95.87o). The mean duration of illness and mean duration on treatment were22 (SD 9.9) and 21.8 (SD 10.1) respectively. Mild, moderate and severe TD was experienced by 54.9, 32.4 and 12.7 7o of subjects in that order. The mean QLS total score was 52.11 (SD 26,7) with the majority of subjects (76.lEo) scored lower than mid score indicating low level of QOL. Employment status, marital status, PANSS negative symptoms and severity of TD were negatively associated with QOL. Conclusions: These findings convey important message to the health care providers to recognize QOL was significantly and negatively associated with severity of TD and negative symptoms. Further, low QOL was also associated with the subjects being single, unemployed or partially employed