BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) has a profound effect on quality of life (QOL); however, generic QOL assessments are poor indicators of the impact of EB. OBJECTIVES: To develop a valid and reliable EB-specific QOL tool for use in measuring the effects of disease impact and interventions. METHODS: Open, nonstructured interviews were conducted with 26 patients with EB, along with 33 family members and 11 health professionals (70 individuals) for item generation. A pilot questionnaire was compiled, refined and distributed to 130 patients with EB. From the 115 returned questionnaires a principal axis factor analysis was undertaken producing a 17-item final questionnaire. Discriminative validity was assessed by differences in scores between EB subtypes. Content validity was assessed by expert ranking of items in terms of importance. Construct validity was evaluated by correlation with existing QOL tools. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were evaluated. Factor analysis was performed. RESULTS: A 17-item questionnaire was developed: the QOLEB questionnaire. This gave distinguishing QOL scores to different EB subtypes, and correlated highly with existing QOL instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The QOLEB questionnaire is the first EB-specific QOL measurement tool, and is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the quantification of QOL in patients with various subtypes of EB. In addition, the QOLEB has potential as a sensitive instrument to monitor QOL, and to identify dimensions of QOL as targets for interventions and research.
BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) has a profound effect on quality of life (QOL); however, generic QOL assessments are poor indicators of the impact of EB. OBJECTIVES: To develop a valid and reliable EB-specific QOL tool for use in measuring the effects of disease impact and interventions. METHODS: Open, nonstructured interviews were conducted with 26 patients with EB, along with 33 family members and 11 health professionals (70 individuals) for item generation. A pilot questionnaire was compiled, refined and distributed to 130 patients with EB. From the 115 returned questionnaires a principal axis factor analysis was undertaken producing a 17-item final questionnaire. Discriminative validity was assessed by differences in scores between EB subtypes. Content validity was assessed by expert ranking of items in terms of importance. Construct validity was evaluated by correlation with existing QOL tools. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were evaluated. Factor analysis was performed. RESULTS: A 17-item questionnaire was developed: the QOLEB questionnaire. This gave distinguishing QOL scores to different EB subtypes, and correlated highly with existing QOL instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The QOLEB questionnaire is the first EB-specific QOL measurement tool, and is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the quantification of QOL in patients with various subtypes of EB. In addition, the QOLEB has potential as a sensitive instrument to monitor QOL, and to identify dimensions of QOL as targets for interventions and research.
Authors: Rosemary Joan Gowran; Avril Kennan; Siobhán Marshall; Irene Mulcahy; Sile Ní Mhaille; Sarah Beasley; Mark Devlin Journal: Patient Date: 2015-02 Impact factor: 3.883
Authors: Jodi Y So; Shivali Fulchand; Christine Y Wong; Shufeng Li; Jaron Nazaroff; Emily S Gorell; Mark P de Souza; Dedee F Murrell; Joyce M Teng; Albert S Chiou; Jean Y Tang Journal: Orphanet J Rare Dis Date: 2022-07-15 Impact factor: 4.303
Authors: Susanne Krämer; James Lucas; Francisca Gamboa; Miguel Peñarrocha Diago; David Peñarrocha Oltra; Marcelo Guzmán-Letelier; Sanchit Paul; Gustavo Molina; Lorena Sepúlveda; Ignacio Araya; Rubén Soto; Carolina Arriagada; Anne W Lucky; Jemima E Mellerio; Roger Cornwall; Fatimah Alsayer; Reinhard Schilke; Mark Adam Antal; Fernanda Castrillón; Camila Paredes; Maria Concepción Serrano; Victoria Clark Journal: Spec Care Dentist Date: 2020-11