The Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life 19 (ADDQoL): feasibility, reliability and validity in a population-based sample of Australian adults.

PURPOSE

This study aims to analyse the psychometric properties of the most recent 19 item version of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) in a large, population-based sample of adults living in Australia.

METHODS

A total of 3,951 people living with diabetes completed the ADDQoL as part of the Living With Diabetes Study. Data analysis investigated the feasibility of using the ADDQoL in a large, population-based survey; internal consistency; adherence to a single-factor structure; and convergent/discriminant validity.

RESULTS

Data support the feasibility of using the ADDQoL in population-based survey research. Although a strict single-factor structure for the ADDQoL was not demonstrated, the results overall support an interpretation of essential unidimensionality. A validation matrix provides support for the convergent and divergent validity of the measure, as does the ADDQoL's ability to discriminate between respondents based on insulin dependence and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The ADDQoL has good psychometric properties and provides clinicians and researchers with a useful tool for comprehensively assessing quality of life in adults with diabetes.