Pfennings L E, Van der Ploeg H M, Cohen L, Bramsen I, Polman C H, Lankhorst G J, Vleugels L
Dept of Medical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Acta Neurol Scand. 1999 Sep;100(3):148-55. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1999.tb00730.x.
The construction of a brief, valid and reliable HRQoL questionnaire for use in multiple sclerosis patients based on generic and disease-specific HRQoL measures.
The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), COOP/ WONCA Charts, and Disability & Impact Profile (DIP) were used in a longitudinal study in 162 patients with multiple sclerosis.
Factor analyses identified 2 underlying dimensions of HRQoL, relating to "physical functioning" and "psychological functioning". Selection of the 3 highest loading reliable scales on each factor resulted in a final questionnaire consisting of 3 scales of the SF-36 and 3 scales of the DIP. In total 40 items were selected; completion time is about 10 min.
The final questionnaire adequately measured 2 dimensions of HRQoL. The length of the questionnaire is acceptable for patients with MS in view of respondent burden.