Title | Using subscales when scoring the Cushing's quality of life questionnaire. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Tiemensma, J, Depaoli, S, Felt, JM |
Journal | Eur J Endocrinol |
Volume | 174 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 33-40 |
Date Published | 2016 Jan |
ISSN | 1479-683X |
Keywords | Adult, Cushing Syndrome, Demography, Female, Health Status, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypopituitarism, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications, Psychology, Quality of Life, Remission Induction, Surveys and Questionnaires |
Abstract | <p><b>CONTEXT: </b>Patients in long-term remission of Cushing's syndrome (CS) commonly report impaired quality of life (QoL). The CushingQoL questionnaire is a disease-specific QoL questionnaire for patients diagnosed with CS. The developers of the CushingQoL recommend using a global (total) score to assess QoL. However, the global score does not capture all aspects of QoL as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO).</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>The aim of the study was to compare the performance of different scoring options to determine the optimal method for the CushingQoL.</p><p><b>DESIGN AND PATIENTS: </b>Patients in remission from CS (n=341) were recruited from the Cushing's Syndrome Research Foundation's email listserv and Facebook page, and asked to complete the CushingQoL and a short demographics survey.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Using an exploratory analysis, adequate model fit was obtained for the global score, as well as a 2-subscale (psychosocial issues and physical problems) scoring solution. Confirmatory methods were performed to identify the optimal scoring solution. Both the global score and the 2-subscale scoring solution showed adequate model fit. However, a χ(2) difference test indicated that the 2-subscale scoring solution was a significantly better fit than the global score (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>If doctors or researchers would like to tease apart physical and psychosocial issues, the 2-subscale scoring solution would be recommended, since this solution showed to be optimal in scoring the CushingQoL. Regardless of the scoring solution used, the CushingQoL has proven to be a valuable resource for assessing health-related QoL in patients with CS.</p> |
DOI | 10.1530/EJE-15-0640 |
Alternate Journal | Eur J Endocrinol |
PubMed ID | 26431845 |