Audrey DunnGalvin1,2, Julie Barnett3, Fiona M Begen3, Kathleen Ryan4, Jane S Lucas5. 1. School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, College Rd., Cork, Ireland. a.dunngalvin@ucc.ie. 2. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Cork University Hospital, Western Road, Cork, Ireland. a.dunngalvin@ucc.ie. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, North East Somerset, BA2 7AY, UK. 4. School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, College Rd., Cork, Ireland. 5. Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of children and adults avoid certain foods because of perceived food intolerance. Valid and reliable health-related quality of life instruments are needed to measure changes following clinical, therapeutic or policy interventions. However, there are no disease-specific quality of life instruments for adults with food intolerances. OBJECTIVE: To develop the Food Intolerance Quality of Life Questionnaire FIQLQ. Then to conduct psychometric validation including reliability and construct validity. METHODS: We adapted the existing Food Allergy Quality of Life questionnaire (FAQLQ) for interviews with 14 adults with food intolerance. For preliminary psychometric validation, 229 adults with food intolerances completed the online electronic version of FIQLQ. RESULTS: The resultant FIQLQ had 18 items which loaded onto 3 subscales-Emotional Impact, Social and Dietary Restrictions, Reactions and Avoidance. Each subscale had excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α 0.81-0.94). Content, convergent and construct validity was supported by significant correlations of FIQLQ subscale scores with hypothesised variables including age, numbers of symptoms and level of stress experienced due to intolerance. CONCLUSION: The FIQLQ has good reliability, construct validity and internal consistency. It is short and easy to use, providing a good tool for evaluating quality of life in the clinical research setting and to inform health and regulatory policies.
BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of children and adults avoid certain foods because of perceived food intolerance. Valid and reliable health-related quality of life instruments are needed to measure changes following clinical, therapeutic or policy interventions. However, there are no disease-specific quality of life instruments for adults with food intolerances. OBJECTIVE: To develop the Food Intolerance Quality of Life Questionnaire FIQLQ. Then to conduct psychometric validation including reliability and construct validity. METHODS: We adapted the existing Food Allergy Quality of Life questionnaire (FAQLQ) for interviews with 14 adults with food intolerance. For preliminary psychometric validation, 229 adults with food intolerances completed the online electronic version of FIQLQ. RESULTS: The resultant FIQLQ had 18 items which loaded onto 3 subscales-Emotional Impact, Social and Dietary Restrictions, Reactions and Avoidance. Each subscale had excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α 0.81-0.94). Content, convergent and construct validity was supported by significant correlations of FIQLQ subscale scores with hypothesised variables including age, numbers of symptoms and level of stress experienced due to intolerance. CONCLUSION: The FIQLQ has good reliability, construct validity and internal consistency. It is short and easy to use, providing a good tool for evaluating quality of life in the clinical research setting and to inform health and regulatory policies.
Authors: A DunnGalvin; C Cullinane; D A Daly; B M J Flokstra-de Blok; A E J Dubois; J O'B Hourihane Journal: Clin Exp Allergy Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 5.018
Authors: Amanda J Cummings; Rebecca C Knibb; Michel Erlewyn-Lajeunesse; Rosemary M King; Graham Roberts; Jane S A Lucas Journal: Pediatr Allergy Immunol Date: 2010-01-14 Impact factor: 6.377
Authors: B M J Flokstra-de Blok; G N van der Meulen; A DunnGalvin; B J Vlieg-Boerstra; J N G Oude Elberink; E J Duiverman; J O'B Hourihane; A E J Dubois Journal: Allergy Date: 2009-02-11 Impact factor: 13.146
Authors: Bertine M J Flokstra-de Blok; Audrey DunnGalvin; Berber J Vlieg-Boerstra; Joanne N G Oude Elberink; Eric J Duiverman; Jonathan O'Brien Hourihane; Anthony E J Dubois Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: Alexander Ross; Helen Shelley; Kim Novell; Elizabeth Ingham; Julia Callan; Robert Heuschkel; Mary-Anne Morris; Matthias Zilbauer Journal: Nutrients Date: 2013-11-19 Impact factor: 5.717