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Background: Quality of life (QOL) for patients with Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is of interest worldwide and disease-specific instruments are needed for clinical research and practice. This paper focus on the development and validation of the PUD scale under the system of quality of life instruments for chronic diseases (QLICD-PU) by the modular approach and both classical test theory and Generalizability Theory.Methods: The QLICD-PU is developed based on programmatic decision-making procedures, including multiple nominal and focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and quantitative statistical procedures. Based on the data of 153 PUD inpatients, correlation analysis, factor analysis, t-test, and Generalizability Theory analysis (including generalizability study and decision study, ie. G-study and D-study) were used to assess the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the scale.Results: When the popular scale health survey short form (SF-36) was used as the standard, correlation and factor analysis confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity of QLICD-PU. Except for the social domain (0.62), the internal consistency α of all domains is higher than 0.70. The overall score and the test-retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r and intra-class correlation ICC) in all domains are higher than 0.80 (0.77 in the social domain). After treatments, the overall score and scores of all domains have statistically significant changes (P < 0.01), except for social impact and sexual function scores. The SRM (Standardized response mean) of domain-level scores ranges from 0.34 to 1.03. The G coefficient and reliability index (Ф coefficient) further confirm the reliability of the scale through more accurate variance components and decision-making information about changes in the number of items.Conclusions: The QLICD-PU can be used as a useful measurement to assess the quality of life of PUD patients with good psychometric characteristics and multiple advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite widespread application of the Symptom Check-List-90-R (SCL-90-R) for Chinese undergraduate students, there are no appropriate norms for them. The aim of this study is to provide norms for the Chinese version of the tool for undergraduate students using a large and representative sample.Methods: Four thousand eight hundred sixty students completed the scale of SCL-90. The mean scores obtained in the present study were compared with mean scores from previous normative samples.Results: The mean scores for nine subscales of the SCL-90-R ranged from (1.36 ± 0.46) ~ (1.77 ± 0.63) and the mean (standard deviation) Global Severity Index (GSI) was 1.50 (0.49). Relative to previous normative studies, the findings suggested that Chinese undergraduate students' self-reported mental health symptoms decreased in interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, and paranoid ideation subscales.Conclusion: It is necessary to revise the norms of the Chinese version of the SCL-90-R for undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop and validate the Simplified Chinese Version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (the QLQ-HCC18). It was developed by the strict translation procedure of EORTC guidelines, and the psychometrics were evaluated on a sample of 114 patients. The internal consistency Cronbach's α were greater than 0.60 for all domains (exception of Jaundice 0.38), and all test–retest reliability coefficients were greater than 0.80. Four out of eight domains had statistically significant changes with effect size standardized response mean (SRM) ranging from 0.31 to 0.73. The Simplified Chinese version of QLQ-HCC18 demonstrates good validity, reliability, and responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: To establish the lowest score reflecting meaningful changes from the perspective of patients is very important for explaining the results of patient reports. The measurement scale of quality of life in patients with chronic gastritis has been used in clinical practice, but the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has not been worked out. In this paper, we use a distribution-based method to calculate the MCID of the scale QLICD-CG (Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases- Chronic Gastritis) (V2.0). Methods: The QLICD-CG(V2.0) scale was used to evaluate the quality of life in patients with chronic gastritis. Since the methods for developing MCID were diverse and there was no uniform standard, we took MCID developed by anchor-based method as the gold standard, and compared the MCID of QLICD-CG(V2.0) scale developed by various distribution-based methods for selection. Standard deviation method (SD), effect size method (ES), standardized response mean method (SRM), standard error of measurement method (SEM) and reliable change index method (RCI) are given in the distribution-based methods. Results: A total of 163 patients, with an average age of (52.37 ± 12.96) years old, were calculated according to the various methods and formulas given by the distribution-based method, and the results were compared with the gold standard. It was suggested that the results of the SEM method at the moderate effect (1.96) should be taken as the preferred MCID of the distribution-based method. And thus the MCID of the physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, general module, specific module and total score of the QLICD-CG(V2.0) scale were 9.29, 13.59, 9.27, 8.29, 13.49 and 7.86, respectively. Conclusions: With anchor-based method as the gold standard, each method in distribution-based method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, 1.96SEM was found to have a good effect on the minimum clinically significant difference of the QLICD-CG(V2.0) scale, and it is recommended as the preferred method to establish MCID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: This paper is aimed to develop and validate the hypertension scale of the system of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases, QLICD-HY. Methods: The QLICD-HY instrument was developed based on programmed decision procedures with multiple nominal and focus group discussions and pilot testing. A total of 157 inpatients with hypertension were used to provide the data measuring QOL three times before and after treatment. The psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated with respect to validity, reliability and responsiveness employing correlation and factor analyses, and t-tests. Results: Correlation and factor analyses confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity when using Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) as a criterion. Test–retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r and intra-class correlation (ICC)) for the overall instrument score and all domains except for the hypertension-specific domain (SPD) (0.75) were higher than 0.80 with a range of 0.75–0.91; the internal consistency α for all domains except for the hypertension-specific domain (0.66) was higher than 0.70. The overall score and scores for most facets within each domain except for the social domain (SOD) had statistically significant changes (t-tests) after treatment with moderate effect sizes. Conclusion: QLICD-HY has good validity, reliability, responsiveness and can be used as the quality-of-life instrument for patients with hypertension. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: Our goal was to develop a self-administered quality of life scale for patients with drug addiction/dependence (QOL-DA) and compare it with the SF-36 and the WHOQOL-100. Methods: Employing theory and methodology of rating scale construction, a self-administered quality of life instrument for individuals with drug dependence QOL-DA was developed and evaluated utilizing responses from 212 drug-dependent subjects at the Kunming Municipal Mandatory Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center in China. Quality of life was measured using the SF-36, WHOQOL-100 and QOL-DA three times during the detoxification. Results: Test–retest reliability in the domains of physical function, psychological function, social function and toxicity were 0.82, 0.64, 0.78, and 0.76, respectively. Cronbach''s coefficient α for the 4 domains was 0.87, 0.89, 0.93 and 0.86, respectively. Correlations and factor analysis showed good construct validity. Criterion-related and convergent validity was confirmed by using the SF-36 and the WHOQOL-100 simultaneously. The instrument does show the change in QOL after two weeks of detoxification with higher standardized response mean higher than that of SF-36 and WHOQOL-100. Conclusion: The instrument developed has good validity, reliability and better responsiveness than instruments currently used, and can be employed effectively to measure the quality of life of individuals with drug dependence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Context: Quality of life (QOL) for patients is now a worldwide concern, but there are few specific instruments developed by modular approach to measure outcomes in chronic diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate the System of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases—General Module (QLICD-GM). Methods: Based on the World Health Organization’s definition of QOL and programmed decision procedures, the QLICD-GM was developed using focus group discussions, pilot tests of 201 cases, and field tests of 620 cases representing seven different chronic diseases. The number of items in the final version was reduced to 30 from a 73-item pool, and the psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated by indicators, such as validity and reliability coefficients, standardized response mean, and statistical methods of correlational analysis, t-tests, and structural equation modeling. Results: Correlational and structural equation model analyses confirmed good construct validity with root mean square error of approximation of 0.0606, nonnormed fit index of 0.941, and comparative fit index of 0.947. Test-retest reliability coefficients for all domains and facets were higher than 0.70, with a range of 0.71–0.92, and the internal consistency alphas for most domains and facets were higher than 0.65 (ranging from 0.52 to 0.89). All domains and overall scores of the QLICD-GM had a statistically significant change after treatment, with moderate effect size. Conclusion: The QLICD-GM has good validity, reliability, and better responsiveness compared with the SF-36® Health Survey and can be used as the general module for chronic diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To validate the simplified Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-LC43 for lung cancer patients. Methods: The simplified Chinese version of the QLQ-LC43 was used to measure quality of life (QOL) of 181 in-patients with lung cancer at three time points before and after treatment. Psychometric properties of the instrument were evaluated based on the QOL data collected from the patients using correlation analysis, factor analysis and paired t-test. Results: The test-retest reliability r for most domains was higher than 0.60 with a range from 0.53 to 0.80. The internal consistency α for all domains was higher than 0.65 except for cognitive functioning (0.32). Correlation analysis and factor analysis demonstrated good construct validity. The instrument reflected the differences in QOL scores among different age groups, indicating known-groups validity, and revealed good criterion-related validity when FACT-L was used as the criterion. The instrument detected changes of QOL with higher standardized response mean for the patients before and after treatment. Conclusion: The Chinese version of QLQ-LC43 can be used to measure QOL for Chinese patients with lung cancer with good validity, reliability and responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Using the structured group methods (nominal and focus group) and the theory in instrument development, the quality of life instrument for lung cancer (QLICP-LU) with Chinese cultural background was developed, and evaluated based on the data from a sample of 85 in-patients of lung cancer. Statistical methods used were correlation analysis, factor analysis and paired t-test, etc. The results showed that test–retest reliability of the overall scale was 0.78, and test–retest reliability and internal consistency α for most domains were higher than 0.70; correlation and factor analysis demonstrated good construct validity; criterion-related validity were confirmed given FACT-L and QLQ-LC43 (QLQ-C30 plus QLQ-LC13) as the criterions; statistically significant changes were found for each domain and the overall scale with standardized response mean SRM being greater than 0.80 except for the social function domain. We conclude that the QLICP-LU can be used to measure QOL for patients with lung cancer with better validity, reliability and responsiveness in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: A Simplified Chinese version of the FACT-L was evaluated using responses from 181 patients with lung cancer in China by assessing the construct, discriminative and criterion-related validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and responsiveness as measured by score changes of the scales. Correlation and factor analysis among domains and items showed good construct validity, correlation analysis of domain scores between FACT-L and Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Lung cancer (QLICP-LU) displayed good criterion-related validity, and comparison of two age groups demonstrated discriminative validity. Test–retest reliability and Internal consistency coefficients for all domains were greater than 0.75 with the exception of the domain of additional concerns (α =0.56). Score changes over time were statistically significant in the overall scale and all domains: standardized response mean (SRM) for physical well-being is 1.56, social/ family well-being 0.70, emotional well-being 0.93, and functioning well-being 1.51. Therefore, the Simplified Chinese version of FACT-L can be used to measure quality of life (QOL) for Chinese patients with lung cancer with good validity, reliability, and responsiveness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Drug abuse has many negative effects not only on individuals but also on society. Nowadays, researchers pay a lot of attention to quality of life of drug addicts. However, there are few scales available to measure quality of life of drug addicts. The scale QLICD-DA (quality of life instrument for chronic diseases-drug addition) developed by modular approach could be used to measure quality of life of drug addicts with good validity, reliability and sensitivity.Objective: This study is aimed to understand the quality of life status and influencing factors in drug addicts by suitable sensitively scale, with the hypothesis of the quality of life in drug addicts being different from that of other peoples and possibly being influenced by many factors.Methods: By cluster random sampling method, 192 drug addicts at Kunming compulsory drug rehabilitation center were recruited to take part in the investigation. All participants completed the general information questionnaire and the scale QLICD-DA. We used a t-test to compare the scores of the quality of life of the participants with the norm (QOL scores from 1953 patients of 10 chronic diseases). A stepwise regression method was applied to explore the influencing factors of the quality of life in drug addicts.Results: 192 participants ranged in age from 19 to 59 with an average age of 34.86. Most of them were male (70.3%), high school education level (67.7%) and of Han nationality (82.8%). The quality of life of drug addicts was lower than the norm in the physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, and general module, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Sex and mode of drug abuse were the influencing factors in total score (p = 0.006) and specific module (p = 0.019). Past family atmosphere and the mode of drug abuse were the influencing factors in the general module (p = 0.027, p = 0.037).Conclusion: The quality of life of drug addicts was worse than that of patients with other chronic diseases, and the influencing factors of the quality of life of drug abusers were sex, mode of drug abuse, and past family atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety disorders can cause serious physical and psychological damage, so many anxiety scales have been developed internationally to measure anxiety disorders, but due to the cultural differences and cultural dependence of quality of life between Chinese and Western cultures, it is difficult to reflect the main characteristics of Chinese patients. Therefore, we developed a scale suitable for Chinese patients with anxiety disorders: the Anxiety Disorders Scale of the Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases (QLICD-AD), hoping to achieve satisfactory QOL assessments for anxiety disorders. Objectives: Items from the Anxiety Disorders Scale of the Quality of Life in Chronic Disease Instrument QLICD-AD system were analyzed using CTT and IRT to lay the groundwork for further refinement of the scale to accurately measure anxiety disorders. Methods: 120 patients with anxiety disorder were assessed using the QLICD-AD (V2.0). Descriptive statistics, variability method, correlation coefficient method, factor analysis and Cronbach's coefficient of CTT, and graded response model (GRM) of item response theory were used to analyze the items of the scale. Result: CTT analysis showed that the standard deviation of each item was between 0.928 and 1.466; Pearson correlation coefficients of item-to-domain were generally greater than 0.5 and also greater than that of item-to-other domain; the Cronbach 's of the total scale was 0.931, α of each domain was between 0.706 and 0.865. IRT analysis showed that the discrimination was between 1.14 and 1.44. The difficulty parameter of all items increased with the increase of grade. But some items (GPH6,GPH8,GPS3,GSO2-GSO4,AD2,AD5) difficulty parameters were less than 4 or greater than 4. The average of information amount was between 0.022 and 0.910. Conclusion: Based on CTT and IRT analysis, most items of the QLICD-AD (V2.0) scale have good performance and good differentiation, but a few items still need further revision. Suggests that the QLICD-AD (V2.0) appears to be a valid measure of anxiety disorders. It may effectively improve the diagnosticity of anxiety disorders, but due to the limitations of the current sample, further validation is needed in a broader population extrapolation trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quality of life research can guide clinical workers to adopt more targeted treatment and intervention measures, so as to achieve the purpose of improving patients' quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with cervical cancer and to explore its influencing factors. Methods: A total of 186 patients with cervical cancer were investigated by using the QLICP-CE (V2.0) scale (Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Cervical Cancer) developed by our group in China. The data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, univariate analysis, and multivariate linear regression. Results: The total score of quality of life scale for cervical cancer patients was (62.58 ± 12.69), Univariate analysis of objective clinical indexes showed that creatinine concentration was a negative influence factor in the psychological domain, potassium ion concentration was a negative influence factor in the common symptoms and side effect domain, erythrocyte content was a positive influence factor physical domain and common general domain. Multiple linear regression results suggested that clinical staging was the influencing factor of common symptom and side effect domain, common general module and total score of scale. Marital status has different degrees of influence on the psychological, social, and common general domains. The level of education also influenced scores in the social domain. Conclusion: The total score of quality of life in patients with cervical cancer who received active treatment was acceptable. Marital status, clinical staging, and educational level are the factors that affect the quality of life of patients with cervical cancer. At the same time, potassium ion concentration, red blood cell count and creatinine concentration also have important effects on quality of life in patients with cervical cancer. Therefore, it is very important to give personalized treatment and nursing to patients based on various factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a more serious threatening to people and suitable for QOL measurement. A few specific QOL instruments are available without considering Chinese culture. The present study was aimed to develop and validate the Rheumatoid Arthritis Scale among the System of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases (QLICD-RA V2.0). The data collected from 379 patients with RA was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale. The reliability was evaluated by the internal consistency Cronbach's α, test–retest reliability Pearson correlation r and intra-class correlation (ICC). We evaluated the construct validity and criteria-related validity by correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. We compared the differences in scores of QLICD-RA before and after treatment and used the Standard Response Mean (SRM) to assess the responsiveness. The results showed that the internal consistency coefficient Cronbach's α values were greater than 0.70. The correlations r and ICCs were greater than 0.80. The correlation analysis and structural equation modeling confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity. The SRM ranges from 0.07 to 0.27 for significant domains/facets. It concluded that QLICD-RA (2.0) is a reliable and valid instrument to measure QOL among patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Psoriasis (PS) is difficult to cure with a high incidence. Therefore, the quality of life (QOL) of people with Psoriasis has caused widespread concern. Universal scales respond poorly to subtle changes caused by specific diseases, which makes it challenging to fully understand the impact of QOL in patients with psoriasis. In view of the deficiencies of the universal scale and the lack of a specific scale suitable for Chinese cultural background, this study aims to develop the psoriasis scale among the system of QOL instruments for chronic diseases QLICD-PS (V2.0).Methods: The scale QLICD-PS (V2.0) was developed based on the procedural decision-making approach and the experience of establishing scales at home and abroad. 122 patients with psoriasis were participated in measuring QOL 3 times before and after treatments. The reliability was assessed by test-retest reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficients) and also internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients). Qualitative analysis was adopted to evaluate content validity; item-domain correlation analysis, multi-dimensional scaling analysis, and factor analysis were adopted to evaluate the construct validity; the SF-36 scale was used as the criterion to evaluate the criterion-related validity due to lack of gold standard. Paired t tests were performed to evaluate the responsiveness on each domain/facet as well as the total of the scale, with Standardized Response Mean (SRM) being calculated.Results: The QLICD-PS was composed of the general module including 3 domains (28 items) and the psoriasis specific module (13 items). The Cronbach's α of the specific module, the general module and the total scale of the QLICD-PS was 0.78, 0.87 and 0.74 respectively, the split-half reliability of the specific module, the general module and the total scale was 0.81, 0.91 and 0.81, respectively, both indicating high reliability. Correlation and factor analysis confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity. After treatments, the score changes in the total scale were statistically significant with SRM being 0.5, showing moderate responsiveness.Conclusion: As the first psoriasis-specific QOL scale developed by the modular approach in Chinese, the QLICD-PS showed good reliability, validity and responsiveness, and could be used to measure the QOL of Patients with psoriasis specifically and sufficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of the minimum clinical important difference (MCID) can make it easier for researchers or doctors to judge the significance of research results and the effect of intervention measures, and improve the evaluation system of efficacy. This paper is aimed to calculate the MCID based on anchor and to develop MCID for esophageal cancer scale (QLICP-ES).Methods: The item Q29 (How do you evaluate your overall health in the past week with 7 grades answers from 1 very poor to 7 excellent)of EORTC QLQ-C30 was used as the subjective anchor to calculate the score difference between each domain at discharge and admission. MCID was established according to two standards, "one grade difference"(A) and "at least one grade difference"(B), and developed by three methods: anchor-based method, ROC curve method and multiple linear regression models. In terms of anchor-based method, the mean of the absolute value of the difference before and after treatments is MCID. The point with the best sensitivity and specificity-Yorden index at the ROC curve is MCID for ROC curve method. In contrast, the predicted mean value based on a multiple linear regression model and the parameters of each factor is MCID.Results: Most of the correlation coefficients of Q29 and various domains of the QLICP-ES were higher than 0.30. The rank of MCID values determined by different methods and standards were as follows: standard B > standard A, anchor-based method > ROC curve method > multiple linear regression models. The recommended MCID values of physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, common symptom and side-effects domain, the specific domain and the overall of the QLICP-ES were 7.8, 9.7, 4.7, 3.6, 4.3, 2.3 and 2.9, respectively.Conclusion: Different methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, and also different definitions and standards can be adopted according to research purposes and methods. A lot of different MCID values were presented in this paper so that it can be easy and convenient to select by users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study is aimed to develop and validate a quality of life scale for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with Chinese cultural background, QLICD-SLE (V2.0). Methods: The QLICD-SLE (V2.0) was developed using a systematic approach that involved focus groups, nominal discussions, and pilot testing. A total of 428 SLE patients participated in the scale's assessment. Validity was examined through qualitative analysis, item domain correlation, multidimensional scaling, and factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using Pearson's correlation and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. To evaluate responsiveness, paired T-tests were conducted to compare pre- and post-treatment measurements with the standardised response mean (SRM) being calculated. Results: Correlation and factor analyses demonstrated strong construct validity. When using SF-36 as criteria, the correlation between various domains of QLICD-SLE and SF-36 ranged from 0.55 to 0.70. Test–retest correlation coefficients exceeded 0.71, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients for both measurements in each domain were greater than or equal to 0.75. T-test results showed that both the overall score and most facet scores within each domain showed statistically significant changes after treatment (P < 0.05), indicating reasonable responsiveness. Conclusion: The QLICD-SLE (V2.0) appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the quality of life in patients with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females worldwide. During the past 15 years, quality of life (QOL) has become an important aspect of breast cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate QOL of breast cancer patients in China, and investigate its associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 246 breast cancer patients in China. Recruited patients were surveyed for QOL using the QOL instruments for cancer patients-breast cancer QLICP-BR (V2.0). We assessed the associations between potential influencing factors and QOL using multiple linear regression models. The general mean QOL score for our population was 70.24 with SD = 8.70. Results indicated that medical insurance, drinking history, alkaline phosphatase, serum chloride ion level, serum calcium ion level, serum phosphorus ion level, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, red cell volume distribution width and platelet had significant associations with QOL of breast cancer patients. Our results emphasized that many factors are affecting QOL of breast cancer patients, which may provide a reference for targeted management or intervention strategies of breast cancer patients to improve their QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to develop and validate the hypertension scale of the Quality of Life Instruments (QoL) for Chronic Diseases system, QLICD-HY (V2.0). The QLICD-HY (V2.0) was developed via a programmed decision method with several focus groups, nominal discussions and pilot testing. The data was collected from 370 hypertensive inpatients and measured their QoL three times before and after treatment. Using correlation, factor analyses, as well as t-tests, the psychometric properties of the scale were assessed with regard to validity, reliability and responsiveness. Correlation and factor analysis supported good construct validity and criterion-related validity when using Short Form 36 as a criterion. Test–retest reliability coefficients for the overall scale score and all domains, with the exception of the psychological and social domain (0.77, 0.78), were greater than 0.80, with a range of 0.77–0.92. The internal consistency for all domains was higher than 0.70. With the exception of the psychological domain and social domain, the overall score and scores for the majority of aspects within each domain underwent statistically significant changes (t-tests) after the treatment. The QLICD-HY (V2.0) has good validity, reliability and responsiveness and can be used as a QoL measure for hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the widespread application of the Chinese version of Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90) amongst undergraduate students, researchers have not thoroughly evaluated its psychometric features with representative samples of Chinese undergraduate students. Aim: To evaluate its psychometric properties based on a large, representative sample of Chinese undergraduate students. Methods: A total of 4456 Chinese undergraduate students (age range = 17-25 years) completed the SCL-90. Correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to evaluate its reliability and validity. Results: The evidence for item-total correlations, internal consistency reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients and composite reliability, and the hypothesized factor structure was satisfactory. The evidence for convergent validity was acceptable; however, the evidence for discriminant validity was not satisfactory. Conclusion: Based on a large, representative sample of Chinese undergraduate students, the Chinese version of the SCL-90 revealed both strengths and limitations, suggesting the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quality of life (QOL) for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is now concerned worldwide with the specific instruments being seldom and no one developed by the modular approach.Objectives: This paper is aimed to develop the CHD scale of the system of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases (QLICD-CHD) by the modular approach and validate it by both classical test theory and Generalizability Theory.Methods: The QLICD-CHD was developed based on programmed decision procedures with multiple nominal and focus group discussions, in-depth interview, pre-testing and quantitative statistical procedures. 146 inpatients with CHD were used to provide the data measuring QOL three times before and after treatments. The psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated with respect to validity, reliability and responsiveness employing correlation analysis, factor analyses, multi-trait scaling analysis, t-tests and also G studies and D studies of Genralizability Theory analysis.Results: Multi-trait scaling analysis, correlation and factor analyses confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity when using SF-36 as a criterion. The internal consistency α and test-retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r and Intra-class correlations ICC) for the overall instrument and all domains were higher than 0.70 and 0.80 respectively; The overall and all domains except for social domain had statistically significant changes after treatments with moderate effect size SRM (standardized response mea) ranging from 0.32 to 0.67. G-coefficients and index of dependability (Ф coefficients) confirmed the reliability of the scale further with more exact variance components.Conclusions: The QLICD-CHD has good validity, reliability, and moderate responsiveness and some highlights, and can be used as the quality of life instrument for patients with CHD. However, in order to obtain better reliability, the numbers of items for social domain should be increased or the items' quality, not quantity, should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop and assess the Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases-Gout QLICD-GO (V2.0). Methods: The instrument was developed using a programmatic decision-making method to combine the general module of the Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases and a new specific module. The instrument was assessed by measuring the quality of life of 116 patients with gout. Results: The QLICD-GO (V2.0) included 28 items from the general module of chronic diseases and 12 items in three facets from the specific module. In addition to the field of physiological function, the internal consistency reliability of other fields and dimensions of the instrument was > 0.7, and the split-half reliability was > 0.5. Three common factors were extracted from the specific module, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 57.54%. The standardized response means of the specific module and the whole instrument were 0.94 and 1.20, respectively. Conclusions: The QLICD-GO (V2.0) has good reliability, validity, and responsiveness. The instrument comprehensively and objectively reflects the quality of life of patients with gout, and it can be used to assess treatment regimens developed by medical staff. Key Points • The QLICD-GO (V2.0) has been developed for patients with gout based upon the foundation of the QLICD-GM. • The QLICD-GO reflects the clinical signs and symptoms, drug-related side effects, and psychological changes specific to patients with gout. • Based on the assessment results, the QLICD-GO (V2.0) has good reliability, validity, and responsiveness. • QLICD-GO (V2.0) can objectively and comprehensively reflect the QOL of patients with gout and can be used by clinical staff to assess treatment regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A short instrument would enhance the viability of a study. Therefore, we aimed to shorten the specific module (SPD-10) of the Quality of Life Instrument for Chronic Diseases - Chronic Renal Failure (QLICD-CRF) for assessing the quality of life of patients with chronic renal failure.Methods: The 10-item SPD-10 was self-administered to 164 patients with chronic renal failure. A shortened form was first obtained by a tandem use of the classical test theory (CTT), the generalizability theory (GT), and the item response theory (IRT). In addition, we also shortened the SPD-10 by the Optimal Test Assembly (OTA).Results: Both the tandem use of GT, CTT and IRT, and the OTA derived the same 7-item shortened version (SPD-7). It included items CRF1, CRF2, CRF3, CRF4, CRF6, CRF8, and CRF9 of the SPD-10. The SPD-7 had a Cronbach alpha of 0.78. The correlation coefficients of its total and factor scores with those of the SPD-10 were 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the unidimensional structure of the SPD-7, with the comparative fit index=0.96, the Tucker-Lewis index=0.94, and the root mean square error of approximation=0.09.Conclusion: The short-form SPD-7 is reliable and valid for assessing the impact of clinical symptoms and side effects on the quality of life of patients with chronic renal failure. It is an efficient option without compromising the measurement performance of the SPD-10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a community-based survey to compare the subjective well-being (SWB) and quality of life (QoL) of 470 rural-to-urban migrant and 422 local older adults living in Dongguan, China. Ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the dose-response relationships of SWB, QoL, and individual and environmental factors. Results show that migrant (vs. local) residents had greater SWB and better QoL. Positive self-rated health, lack of chronic diseases, not being depressed, taking regular exercise, living close to recreation facilities, and having good social cohesion were positive determinants for SWB and QoL of both local and migrant respondents. Our results provide useful information for Chinese policy decision making to promote the health of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The proportion of aging in China is increasing, which needs more healthcare recourses. To analyze the risk factors of the direct medical economic burden of aging in China and provide the strategies to control the cost of treatment, the information was collected based on Guangdong Province's regular health expenditure accounting data collection plan. Methods. The multiple linear regression models were used to explore the risk factors of inpatient expenses of the elderly in Guangdong province. Results. The results revealed that hospital day, age, male patients, and patients who suffer from malignant tumors are key factors to increase the direct medical economic burden of aging. Moreover, the medical insurance for urban employees can reduce the medical economic burden, comparing with the medical insurance for urban residents. Conclusions. The basic medical insurance system and the serious illness insurance system should be improved. While striving to speed up the development of regional economy, the government should pay attention to the construction of basic medical institutions in economically backward areas, increase the allocation of health human resources, and facilitate the masses to seek medical treatment nearby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The proportion of aging in China is increasing, which needs more healthcare recourses. To analyze the risk factors of the direct medical economic burden of aging in China and provide the strategies to control the cost of treatment, the information was collected based on Guangdong Province's regular health expenditure accounting data collection plan. Methods. The multiple linear regression models were used to explore the risk factors of inpatient expenses of the elderly in Guangdong province. Results. The results revealed that hospital day, age, male patients, and patients who suffer from malignant tumors are key factors to increase the direct medical economic burden of aging. Moreover, the medical insurance for urban employees can reduce the medical economic burden, comparing with the medical insurance for urban residents. Conclusions. The basic medical insurance system and the serious illness insurance system should be improved. While striving to speed up the development of regional economy, the government should pay attention to the construction of basic medical institutions in economically backward areas, increase the allocation of health human resources, and facilitate the masses to seek medical treatment nearby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment is important to facilitate decisions in the current treatment landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Therefore, the availability of a validated HRQOL questionnaire, specifically developed for CML patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), may enhance quality of research in this area. We performed an international study including 782 CML patients to assess the validity of the EORTC QLQ-CML 24 questionnaire, and to generate HRQOL reference values to facilitate interpretation of results in future studies. Internal consistency, assessed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients, ranged from 0.66 to 0.83. In the confirmatory factor analysis, all standardized factor loadings exceeded the threshold of 0.40 (range 0.49–0.97), confirming the hypothesized scale structure. Reference values stratified by age and sex were also generated. Our findings support the use of the EORTC QLQ-CML 24, in conjunction with the EORTC QLQ-C30, as a valuable measure to assess HRQOL in CML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social environmental factors have rarely been considered in studies exploring the subjective well-being of older adult internal migrants in China. Thus, we investigated the effects of social environmental factors on the subjective well-being of 470 internal migrants (age range = 60–87 years) living in Dongguan, China, using data collected from a survey. The results indicate that the subjective well-being of older adult internal migrants was influenced by individual attributes (marital status, employment status, pension recipient status) and social environment (perceived social support, social cohesion, distance to the closest recreation facility). Social support exerted a stronger impact on subjective well-being than did individual attributes. There was a positive relationship between subjective well-being and perceived social support (including support from family members, friends, and others). Our findings indicate that the subjective well-being of older adult migrants can be enhanced by providing more recreational spaces and community events, and ensuring policies related to social support provide appropriate neighborhood-based support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Utilization of primary health care is an important aspect of elderly internal migrants' access to screening and preventive services in China. It has been evident that social contacts, such as community engagement, social mobilization, and the ability to communicate were related to health service delivery, but little has been done to explore the relationship between social contacts and utilization of primary health care for this group. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing utilization of primary health care from the perspective of social contacts among elderly internal migrants in China.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 1544 elderly internal migrants in eight cities. Whether these indivdiuals had chosen to participate in the free health checkup organized in the previous year was adopted as an indicator of the utilization of primary health care. The number of local friends and amount of exercise time per day were measured as a proxy for social contacts. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to investigate the association of social contacts with the likelihood of using primary health care.Results: 55.6% of the respondents were men, and the mean age was 66.34 years (SD, 5.94). 88.6% had received an education of high school or below. 12.9% had no local friends. 5.2% did not exercise. Just 33.1% had participated in a free medical check-up. Social contacts, age, and medical insurance were associated with more use of primary health care among elderly internal migrants in China.Conclusion: The role of the community in promoting the use of primary health care should be expanded, such as creating community-based campaigns specifically targeting elderly internal migrants or designing social or sports activities tailored to increase the opportunity for contact between local elders and their internal migrant peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measurements used in cancer research can assess a number of health domains. Our primary objective was to investigate which broad types of PRO domains (namely, functional health, symptoms, and global quality of life [QoL]) most frequently yielded significant differences between treatments in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Methods: A total of 229 RCTs published between January 2004 and February 2019, conducted on patients diagnosed with the most common solid malignancies and assessed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30, were considered. Studies were identified systematically using literature searches in key electronic databases. Unlike other PRO measurements typically used in RCTs, the scoring algorithm of the multidimensional EORTC QLQ-C30 allowed us to clearly distinguish the 3 broad types of PRO domains.Results: In total, 134 RCTs (58.5%) reported statistically significant differences between treatment arms for at least 1 of the QLQ-C30 domains. Most frequently, differences were reported for 2 or all 3 broad types of PRO domains (78 of 134 trials; 58.2%). In particular, 35 trials (26.1%) found significant differences for symptoms, functional health, and global QoL, 24 trials (17.9%) for symptoms and functional health, 11 trials (8.2%) for functional health and global QoL, and 8 trials (6.0%) for symptoms and global QoL. The likelihood of finding a statistically significant difference between treatment arms was not associated with key study characteristics, such as study design (ie, open-label vs blinded trials) and industry support.Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of a multidimensional PRO assessment to most comprehensively capture the overall burden of therapy from the patients' standpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generic assessments are less responsive to subtle changes due to specific diseases, making it challenging to fully understand the impact of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) on patient's quality of life (QOL).Methods: We applied programmed decision procedures and theories on instrument development to develop the scale. Two hundred patients with pulmonary TB participated in measuring QOL three times before and after treatments. We assessed the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of QLICD-PT using correlation analysis, factor analysis, multi-trait scaling analysis, randomized block analyses of variance with Least Significant Difference post-hoc tests.Results: We composed QLICD-PT with 3 domains (28 items) for general QOL and 1 pulmonary TB specific domain (12 items). Correlation and factor analysis confirmed good structure validity and criterion-related validity when using Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) as a criterion. The internal consistency of α values were higher than 0.70. The score changes after treatment were of statistical significance for the overall scale, physical domain and specific domain with effect size ranging from 0.32 to 0.72. No floor effects but small ceiling effects were observed at domain level.Conclusions: As the first pulmonary TB-specific QOL scale developed by a module approach in Chinese, QLICD-PT has an acceptable degree of validity, reliability and responsiveness, and can be used to measure the life quality of PT patients specifically and sufficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life is an important outcome indicator to evaluate whether treatment is successful or not. Chronic gastritis leads to ongoing deterioration of subjectively perceived quality of life. There are several generic measures, but they are not developed particularly to assess chronic gastritis problems. The Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases—Chronic Gastritis (QLICD-CG V2.0) questionnaire is a 39-item, multi-dimensional, self-report instrument to assess chronic gastritis patients’ perception of their health related quality of life in four domains. The instrument was developed in China. The current study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the QLICD-CG V2.0. 194 patients with chronic gastritis were enrolled from 4 hospitals in China. The QLICD-CG V2.0 was administered to patients by trained research assistants. In addition, their demographic characteristics were also recorded. The psychometric testing included construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, test-retest, and responsiveness. The results showed good internal consistency and acceptable floor and ceiling effects (Cronbach’s alpha range from 0.80 to 0.93). CFA showed that the instrument structure has a reasonable fitness (RMSEA = 0.063, 95%CI = [0.057 0.079], CFI = 0.93, GFI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.028). The convergent validity was considered appropriate, with 38 of the 39 items correlated stronger with their assigned scale than a competing scale, except for GPS1. Known groups comparisons showed that the QLICD-CG V2.0 discriminated well between subgroups on the basis of gender, marriage status, and economy status, thus providing evidence of discriminative validity. Convergent validity testing revealed that the QLICD-CG V2.0 domain scores correlated significantly with SF-36 dimension scores, which ranged from 0.21 to 0.58. Test-retest coefficients were satisfactory. A majority of intraclass correlation coefficients were above 0.70, except the psychological domain (0.60) and the items of social support/security (0.61). Responsiveness was tested on 157 patients. Significant differences were found on all QLICD-CG V2.0 domains, between baseline responses and after a treatment, except for the items of appetite and sleep. Robust sensitivity to change was observed. The QLICD-CG V2.0 appears to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure QOL in chronic gastritis patients. Scores were reproducible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu) scale, a leukemia-specific instrument for determining the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with leukemia, had been developed and validated, but there have been no reports on the development of a simplified Chinese version of this scale. This is a new exploration to analyze the reliability of the HRQOL measurement using multivariate generalizability theory (MGT). This study aimed to develop a Chinese version of the FACT-Leu scale and evaluate its reliability using MGT to provide evidence to support the revision and improvement of this scale.Methods: The Chinese version of the FACT-Leu scale was developed by four steps: forward translation, backward translation, cultural adaptation and pilot-testing. The HRQOL was measured for eligible inpatients with leukemia using this scale to provide data. A single-facet multivariate Generalizability Study (G-study) design was demonstrated to estimate the variance-covariance components and then several Decision Studies (D-studies) with varying numbers of items were analyzed to obtain reliability coefficients and to understand how much the measurement reliability could be vary as the number of items in MGT changes.Results: One-hundred and one eligible inpatients diagnosed with leukemia were recruited and completed the HRQOL measurement at the time of admission to the hospital. In the G-study, the variation component of the patient-item interaction was largest while the variation component of the item was the smallest for the four of five domains, except for the leukemia-specific (LEUS) domain. In the D-study, at the level of domain, the generalizability coefficients (G) and the indexes of dependability (Ф) for four of the five domains were approximately equal to or greater than 0.80 except for the Emotional Well-being (EWB) domain (>0.70 but <0.80). For the overall scale, the composite G and composite Ф coefficients were greater than 0.90. Based on the G coefficient and Ф coefficient, two decision options for revising this scale considering the number of items were obtained: one is a 37-item version while the other is a 45-item version.Conclusion: The Chinese version of the FACT-Leu scale has good reliability as a whole based on the results of MGT and the implementation of MGT could lead to more informed decisions in complex questionnaire design and improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This research was designed to develop a nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) scale based on quality of life (QOL) instruments for cancer patients (QLICP-NA). This scale was developed by using a modular approach and was evaluated by classical test and generalizability theories.Methods: Programmed decision procedures and theories on instrument development were applied to create QLICP-NA V2.0. A total of 121 NPC inpatients were assessed using QLICP-NA V2.0 to measure their QOL data from hospital admission until discharge. Scale validity, reliability, and responsiveness were evaluated by correlation, factor, parallel, multi-trait scaling, and t test analyses, as well as by generalizability (G) and decision (D) studies of the generalizability theory.Results: Results of multi-trait scaling, correlation, factor, and parallel analyses indicated that QLICP-NA V2.0 exhibited good construct validity. The significant difference of QOL between the treated and untreated NPC patients indicated a good clinical validity of the questionnaire. The internal consistency (α) and test-retest reliability coefficients (intra-class correlations) of each domain, as well as the overall scale, were all >0.70. Ceiling effects were not found in all domains and most facets, except for common side effects (24.8 %) in the domain of common symptoms and side effects, tumor early symptoms (27.3 %) and therapeutic side effects (23.2 %) in specific domain, whereas floor effects did not exist in each domain/facet. The overall changes in the physical and social domains were significantly different between pre- and post-treatments with a moderate effective size (standard response mean) ranging from 0.21 to 0.27 (p < 0.05), but these changes were not obvious in the other domains, as well as in the overall scale. Scale reliability was further confirmed by G coefficients and index of dependability, with more exact variance components based on generalizability theory.Conclusions: QLICP-NA V2.0 exhibited reasonable degrees of validity, reliability, and responsiveness. However, this scale must be further improved before it can be used as a practical instrument to evaluate the QOL of NPC patients in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with fatigue severity in newly diagnosed patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes ( MDS). The secondary objectives were to assess symptom prevalence and to examine the relationships between fatigue, quality of life ( Qo L) and overall symptom burden in these patients. The analyses were conducted in 280 higher-risk MDS patients. Pre-treatment patient-reported fatigue was evaluated with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy ( FACIT)- Fatigue scale and Qo L was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire- Core 30 ( EORTC QLQ- C30). Female gender ( P = 0·018), poor performance status (i.e., ECOG of 2-4) ( P < 0·001) and lower levels of haemoglobin ( Hb) ( P = 0·026) were independently associated with higher fatigue severity. The three most prevalent symptoms were as follows: fatigue (92%), dyspnoea (63%) and pain (55%). Patients with higher levels of fatigue also had greater overall symptom burdens. The mean global Qo L scores of patients with the highest versus those with the lowest levels of fatigue were 29·2 [standard deviation ( SD), 18·3] and 69·0 ( SD, 18·8), respectively and this difference was four times the magnitude of a clinically meaningful difference. Patient-reported fatigue severity revealed the effects of disease burden on overall Qo L more accurately than did degree of anaemia. Special attention should be given to the female patients in the management of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper is aimed to develop the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) scale of the system of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases (QLICD-IBS) by the modular approach and validate it by both classical test theory and generalizability theory. Methods: The QLICD-IBS was developed based on programmed decision procedures with multiple nominal and focus group discussions, in-depth interview, and quantitative statistical procedures. One hundred twelve inpatients with IBS were used to provide the data measuring QOL three times before and after treatments. The psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated with respect to validity, reliability, and responsiveness employing correlation analysis, factor analyses, multi-trait scaling analysis, t tests and also G studies and D studies of generalizability theory analysis. Results: Multi-trait scaling analysis, correlation, and factor analyses confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity when using SF-36 as a criterion. Test-retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r and intra-class correlation (ICC)) for the overall score and all domains were higher than 0.80; the internal consistency α for all domains at two measurements were higher than 0.70 except for the social domain (0.55 and 0.67, respectively). The overall score and scores for all domains/facets had statistically significant changes after treatments with moderate or higher effect size standardized response mean (SRM) ranging from 0.72 to 1.02 at domain levels. G coefficients and index of dependability (Ф coefficients) confirmed the reliability of the scale further with more exact variance components. Conclusions: The QLICD-IBS has good validity, reliability, responsiveness, and some highlights and can be used as the quality of life instrument for patients with IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop and validate a quality of life (QOL) instrument for patients with colorectal cancer, QLICP-CR. Methods: Using the programmed decision method and the theory in instrument development, the QLICP-CR was developed and evaluated based on the data measuring QOL thrice from a sample of 110 inpatients of colorectal cancer. Results: The internal consistency α and the test-retest reliability for the overall scale and domains are above 0.70 and 0.79, respectively; the score differences between pretreatment and posttreatment have statistical significance for three domains and the overall instrument, with higher Standardized Response Mean of 0.61, 0.62, 1.33, and 0.80. Conclusions: The QLICP-CR is of good validity, reliability, and responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate the simplified Chinese version of the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire for Colorectal Cancer, QLQ-CR38. Methods: It was developed by the strict translation procedure of EORTC translation guidelines, including translation, back translation, a pilot test and a cultural adaptation. Three instruments (QLQ-CR38, Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients-Colorectal Cancer, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal) were used on a sample of 110 patients with colorectal cancer at the time of their admission to the hospital and 1-2 days after hospitalization, and a subsample of patients was measured a third time at discharge. The psychometric properties were evaluated by correlational analysis, multi-trait scaling analysis, factor analysis, and t tests. Results: Multi-trait scaling analysis and correlation analysis among domains and items of the three instruments showed good construct validity and criterion-related validity. Cronbach's α and the test-retest reliability coefficients were greater than 0.70 for all domains (except chemotherapy side effects, 0.44 and 0.60, respectively). All domains had statistically significant changes after treatment with the standardized response mean ranging from 0.44 to 2.47. Conclusions: The simplified Chinese version of QLQ-CR38 has good validity, reliability, and responsiveness and can be used to measure the quality of life of Chinese patients with colorectal cancer. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Quality of life for patients with head and neck is now concerned worldwide, but the available QOL instruments are seldom and lack of Chinese culture. Therefore, this paper aimed to develop and validate a QOL instrument for patients with head and neck cancer, QLICP-HN. Using the programmed decision methods and the theory in instrument development, the QLICP-HN was developed and evaluated based on the data measuring QOL three times before and after treatment from a sample of 133 in-patients of head and neck cancer. The psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated by indicators such as validity and reliability coefficients: Cronbach α, Pearson r, standardized response mean. The statistical methods included Pearson correlation, multi-trait scaling analysis, factor analysis, cluster analysis and paired t test. The internal consistency α for the overall scale and domains is above 0.70 with the exception of the social function (0.65) and common symptom and side effect (0.66); the test–retest reliability for each domain and the overall scale is higher than 0.80; most correlation coefficients between each item and its domain are above 0.40; the scores differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment have statistical significance for three domains of physical, psychological, the specific, and the overall instrument, with higher SRM of 0.33, 0.59, 0.44 and 0.53. The QLICP-HN is of good validity, reliability and responsiveness, and can be used to assess quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goals: A simplified Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N35 was developed using strict translation procedures according to EORTC translation guidelines. Psychometric properties were evaluated. Patients and methods: Three instruments (QLQ-H&N35, QLICP-HN, and FACT-H&N) were used in a sample of 133 patients with head and neck cancer at the time of their admission to the hospital. Each patient was assessed for the second time 1-2 days after hospitalization so that the test-retest reliability could be calculated. A sub-sample of patients was sampled and measured for the third time at discharge in order to evaluate the responsiveness. Results: Correlation analysis among domains and items of the three instruments showed good construct validity and criterion-related validity. Comparisons of QLQ-H&N35 between treatment groups and age groups supported clinical validity. The internal consistency reliability measured by Cronbach's coefficient α was greater than 0.70 for all multi-item domains, and test-retest reliability coefficients for all domains were greater than 0.80, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95. Score changes between pre- and post-treatment were observed in 6 out of 18 domains, with effect size SRM ranging from 0.27 to 0.87. Conclusions: The simplified Chinese version of QLQ-H&N35 demonstrates good validity, reliability, and responsiveness and can be used to measure QOL for Chinese patients with head and neck cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goals: To develop and validate a quality of life (QOL) instrument for patients with breast cancer, QLICP-BR, which is one of the system of QOL instruments for cancer patients in China.Methods: Using the programmed decision methods of instrument development, the quality of life instrument for cancer patients-breast cancer (QLICP-BR) with considering Chinese cultural background was developed, and evaluated on the data from 186 inpatients with breast cancer. The statistical methods used in this research included statistical description, Pearson correlation, factor analysis, and paired t test.Results: The test-retest reliability for the overall scale and five domains are all above 0.75. Internal consistency alpha for each domain is higher than 0.65 except social domain (0.58). Most correlation coefficients between each item and it's domain are above 0.60. The scores differences between pretreatment and post-treatment for overall scale, general module, physical domain, psychological domain and social domain have statistical significance.Conclusions: The QLICP-BR is of good validity, reliability, and reasonable responsiveness, and can be used to assess quality of life for patients with breast cancer in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We compare the reliability and validity of the Short Form 36 (version 1, SF-36) and the Short Form 12 (version 1, SF-12) in adolescence, the period of life when a child develops into an adult, i.e., the period from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority (10-19 years), thus supplying evidence for the selection of instruments measuring the quality of life (QOL) and decision-making processes of adolescents in China.Methods: Stratified cluster random sampling was adopted according to geographical location, and the SF-36 was administered to assess QOL. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to show correlation. Cronbach's alpha and construct reliability (CR) were used to evaluate the reliability of SF-36 and SF-12, while criterion validity and average variance extracted (AVE, convergence validity) were used to evaluate validity. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to calculate the load factors for the items of the SF-36 and SF-12, then to obtain the CR and AVE. The Semejima grade response model (logistic two-parameter module) in item response theory was used to estimate item discrimination, item difficulty, and item average information for the items of the SF-36 and SF-12.Results: 19,428 samples were included in the study. The mean age of respondents was 14.78 years (SD = 1.77). Reliability of each domain of the SF-36 was better than for the corresponding domain of the SF-12. The domains of PF, RP, BP, and GH in SF-36 had good construct reliability (CR > 0.6). The criterion validities of some domains of the SF-36 were a little higher in some corresponding dimensions of the SF-12, except for PCS. The convergence validities of the SF-12 were higher than the SF-36 in PF, RP, BP, and PCS. The items of BP, SF, RP, and VT in the SF-12 had acceptable discrimination of items that were higher than in the SF-36. The items' average amounts of information on BP, VT, SF, RE, and MH in the SF-36 and SF-12 were poor.Conclusion: Two component (PCS and MCS) measurements of the SF-12 appeared to perform at least as well as the SF-36 in cross-sectional settings in adolescence, but the reliability and validity of the 8 domains of the SF-36 were better than those of the SF-12. Some domains, for instance SF and BP, were not suitable for adolescents or need to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study compares and analyzes the differences of residents' medical economic burden in different economic levels, explores the factors for improving the equity of health services in Guangdong, China.Methods: Cluster analysis was carried out in 20 cities of Guangdong Province by taking 7 key factors on the equity of health services as indicators. Seven key factors were collected from Guangdong Statistical Yearbook 2017 and the Sixth National Population Census. R-type clustering was used to reduce the dimensionality of 7 candidate variables through similarity index. Q-type clustering was used to classify 20 cities in Guangdong Province.Results: The cluster analysis divided Guangdong Province into three regions with different medical economic burden. The greater the proportion of the elderly over 65 years old, the greater the proportion of health care expenditure to per capita consumer expenditure of residents, and the heavier the medical economic burden. On average, 10.75% of the general budget expenditure of each city in Guangdong Province is spent on health care.Conclusions: The lower per capita GDP, the higher proportion of the elderly over 65 years old and the lack of medical technicians are risk factors for the heavier medical burden of the residents and the fairness of health services. While increasing the health expenditure, the government needs to further complete the reform of the medical and health system, improve the efficiency of the medical system and curb the rapid rise of absolute health expenditures of individuals, which can reduce the economic burden of residents' medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The assessment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) has been applied as a significant outcome indicator for patients with chronic diseases. No HRQOL study, however, has looked at HRQOL in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. This paper focuses on comparing HRQOL in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers and examining the factors that influence the HRQOL of such patients. Results can be used for making decisions in clinical trials as well as aiding individual management and preventive care of these diseases.Methods: The Chinese version of the SF-36 (CSF-36) was administered twice to 244 patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. Mean scores across the two disease groups were compared using t-tests, change over time was analyzed with paired samples t-tests, and factors predicting HRQOL were investigated using the univariate general linear model.Results: The mean domain scores of patients with chronic gastritis were lower than those for patients with peptic ulcers, with the exception of physical functioning. Both groups had lower HRQOL compared with population norms. Mean domain scores increased after treatment in both groups. HRQOL in patients with these two chronic diseases differed by age, education level, marriage, income, and gender, but their explanatory power was relatively low.Conclusion: Quality of life of patients with chronic gastritis was lower than that of patients with peptic ulcers, which was lower than population norms. Quality of life in both patients groups was associated with socio-demographic risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]