Validation analysis of the Polish version of the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire (MusiQoL).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to perform a validation analysis of the Polish adaptation of the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire, MusiQoL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Validation analysis included the translation of the original English version into Polish according to translation principles and the analysis of convergent validity, internal reliability and reproducibility of the Polish version of MusiQoL. The study included 150 randomly chosen patients (109 women and 41 men) with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed according to McDonald criteria. Mean age of patients was 41 ± 10 years and mean disease duration was 11.7 ± 7.2 years. The patients completed the examined MusiQoL, the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). Data regarding sociodemographic status and MS history were collected. The disability of the patients was assessed according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The examination was repeated after 28 ± 4 days.

RESULTS

The internal reliability, convergent validity and reproducibility of MusiQoL were satisfactory. The dimensions of the scale exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha from 0.67 to 0.90). The MusiQoL correlated with FAMS (positive correlations), EDSS and MSIS-29 (negatively).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychometric-statistical analysis showed that the Polish version of MusiQoL is a valuable measure to examine the health-related quality of life of Polish MS patients.