Validation of the multiple sclerosis international quality of life questionnaire

Simeoni M. C., Auquier P., Fernandez O., Flachenecker P., Stecchi S., Constantinescu C. S., ...More

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL, vol.14, no.2, pp.219-230, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/1352458507080733
  • Journal Name: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.219-230
  • Keywords: international, multiple sclerosis, MusiQoL, quality of life, questionnaire, validation, DISABILITY STATUS SCALE, DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA, HEALTH-STATUS, PEOPLE, MS, VALIDITY, IMPACT, RELIABILITY, IMPAIRMENT, GUIDELINES
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aims to validate the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) International Quality of Life (MusiQoL) questionnaire, a multi- dimensional, self- administered questionnaire, available in 14 languages, as a disease-specific quality of life scale that can be applied internationally. A total of 1992 patients with different types and severities of MS from 15 countries were recruited. At baseline and day 21 +/- 7, each patient completed the MusiQoL, a symptom checklist and the short- form (SF)- 36 QoL questionnaire. Neurologists also collected socio- demographic, MS history and outcome data. The database was randomly divided into two subgroups and analysed according to different patient characteristics. For each model, psychometric properties were tested and the number of items was reduced by various statistical methods. Construct validity, internal consistency, reproducibility and external consistency were also tested. Nine dimensions, explaining 71% of the total variance, were isolated. Internal consistency and reproducibility were satisfactory for all the dimensions. External validity testing revealed that dimension scores correlated significantly with all SF- 36 scores, but showed discriminant validity by gender, socio- economic and health status. Significant correlations were found between activity in daily life scores and clinical indices. These results demonstrate the validity and reliability of the MusiQoL as an international scale to evaluate QoL in patients with MS.