Psychometric assessment of the Persian version of the Ferrans and Powers 3.0 index in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Ferrans and Powers 3.0 quality of life index (dialysis type) in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) in order to describe their health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

METHODS

The sample (n = 150) consisted of adult HD patients receiving HD for at least 6 months from the establishment of the study. A total of 88 men and 62 women, with an average age of 50.47, from Shiraz, southern Iran, were enrolled in this study. The questionnaire was translated into Persian language using back translation and bilingual techniques. Convergent, discriminant, and construct validity of the Ferrans and Powers 3.0 dialysis version was evaluated. To check the internal consistency of the data, Cronbach's alpha, which indicates the reliability of the data, was used for the entire questionnaire and for the subscales.

RESULTS

The convergent and discriminant validity and success scaling rate for both sexes were 100 %. Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 overall, which was greater than 0.7 for all the subscales except for the family subscale. Our results suggest that HD patients in southern Iran have higher HRQOL scores when compared with those in other countries. Despite the higher mean HRQOL score for men compared with women, men had significantly higher HRQOL scores only in the health and functioning subscale. There was no significant correlation between HD patients' HRQOL and educational level.

CONCLUSION

The Persian version of Ferrans and Powers 3.0 has sufficient reliability and validity for measuring the quality of life of Persian-speaking HD patients. Female HD patients need more support and attention from family and society.