Validation of two generic patient-reported outcome measures in patients with type 2 diabetes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prior to using a generic patient-reported outcome measure (PRO), the measure should be validated within the target population. The purpose of the current study was to validate two generic measures in patients with type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients with type 2 diabetes in Scotland and England completed two generic measures: EQ-5D and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB). Two diabetes-specific measures were administered: ADS and DSC-R. Analyses assessed reliability and validity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 130 participants (53 Scotland; 77 England; 64% male; mean age = 55.7 years). Responses on the EQ-5D and PGWB reflected moderate impairment consistent with previous diabetes samples: mean EQ-5D Index score, 0.75; EQ-5D VAS, 68.8; PGWB global score, 67.9. All scales of the PGWB demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77 to 0.97). The EQ-5D and PGWB demonstrated convergent validity through significant correlations with the ADS (r = 0.48 to 0.61), DSC-R scales (r = 0.33 to 0.81 except ophthalmology subscale), and Body Mass Index (r = 0.15 to 0.38). The EQ-5D and PGWB discriminated between groups of patients known to differ in diabetes-related characteristics (e.g., history of hypoglycemia).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results support the use of the EQ-5D and PGWB among patients with type 2 diabetes, possibly in combination with condition-specific measures.</p

Evaluation and impact of chronic cough: comparison of specific vs generic quality-of-life questionnaires

Ekici, Arif B/0000-0001-6099-7066WOS: 000229400900014PubMed: 15945562Background: Chronic cough is a common condition that has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To investigate whether chronic cough is associated with adverse psychological and physical effects on quality of life (QoL) using different HRQoL questionnaires. Methods: Forty patients were recruited for the study. The diagnostic workup was mainly based on the pathogenic triad in chronic cough: postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The HRQoL was evaluated with the cough-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (CQLQ), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Symptom scores were significantly correlated with the CQLQ and LCQ (beta =.415 and beta = -.272, respectively) but not with the SF-36. A statistically significant difference was found in all questionnaires, except the physical component summary domain of the SF-36, after specific therapy. Correlation between the 2 specific HRQoL questionnaires was moderate to high when pretreatment and posttreatment scores were compared (r = -0.42 and r = -0.60). Concurrent validity of the LCQ was higher than the CQLQ when compared with the SF-36 domains. The effect size of each specific QoL questionnaire was I or higher after treatment, whereas it was much less in the SF-36. There was no change in depression with treatment despite anxiety. Posttreatment symptom scores were related with anxiety (r > 0.40) Conclusions: Because HRQoL is important to patients, a cough-specific HRQoL instrument, either the CQLQ or LCQ, should be routinely used to optimally evaluate the impact of cough on patients and to evaluate the efficacy of cough-modifying agents. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005;94:581-585

A Comparison of Muscle Strength and Endurance, Exercise Capacity, Fatigue Perception and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Healthy Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has significant systemic effects that substantially impact quality of life and survival. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare peripheral muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity, fatigue perception and quality of life between patients with COPD and healthy subjects. Methods Twenty COPD patients (mean FEV1 49.3 ± 19.2%) and 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. Pulmonary function testing and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed. Peripheral muscle strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer, peripheral muscle endurance was evaluated with sit-ups, squats and modified push-ups tests. Fatigue perception was assessed using the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). General quality of life was determined with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and cough-specific quality of life was evaluated with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Results Pulmonary functions, strength of shoulder abductor and flexor muscles, numbers of sit-ups and squats, 6MWT distance and 6MWT% were significantly lower in COPD patients than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05). FIS psychosocial sub-dimension and total scores, NHP scores for all sub-dimensions except pain sub-dimension of the COPD group were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (p < 0.05). The LCQ physical, psychological and social sub-dimensions and total scores were significantly lower in COPD patients than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05). Conclusions Pulmonary functions, peripheral muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity and quality of life were adversely affected in patients with COPD. There are greater effect of fatigue on psychosocial functioning and general daily life activities and effect of cough on the quality of life in patients with COPD. This study supports the idea that COPD patients must be evaluated in a comprehensive manner for planning pulmonary rehabilitation programs.PubMedWoSScopu