van de Pas CB, Biemans AA, Boonen RS, Viehoff PB, Neumann HA, et al.
Phlebology. Date of publication 2016 May 1;volume 31(4):257-63.
1. Phlebology. 2016 May;31(4):257-63. doi: 10.1177/0268355515586312. Epub 2015 May
8.
Validation of the Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) in Dutch
Patients Diagnosed with Lymphoedema of the Lower Limbs.
van de Pas CB(1), Biemans AA(2), Boonen RS(3), Viehoff PB(4), Neumann HA(5).
Author information:
(1)Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Polikliniek de Blaak, 3011 GB Rotterdam, The Netherlands talthomas@hotmail.com.
(2)Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Dermatology, TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, 5042 AD Tilburg, The
Netherlands.
(3)Polikliniek de Blaak, 3011 GB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
(4)Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Centre for Physical and Manual Therapy 't Gilde (PBV), Gorinchem, The
Netherlands.
(5)Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Polikliniek de Blaak, 3011 GB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
BACKGROUND: The Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire is a validated
disease-specific instrument to measure the impact of lymphoedema on patients'
lives. In this study, we tested its psychometric properties and validated the use
of the questionnaire in its Dutch translation.
METHODS: We obtained the answers to a standardised questionnaire, including
Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire and Short-Form (36) Health Survey,
twice at an interval of 2 weeks in 60 patients with lower limb lymphoedema.
Feasibility was tested on the basis of missing responses and response
distribution. Structure was studied using factor analysis. The reliability of the
Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire was assessed using Crohnbach's α and
test-retest reliability. Construct validity was tested by correlating Lymphoedema
Quality-of-Life Questionnaire scores with the Short-Form (36) Health Survey
scores.
RESULTS: The response rate was 88.2%. One of the 22 items missed >10% of
responses; another showed a borderline ceiling effect. Internal consistency was
good and test-retest reliability was excellent. The Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life
Questionnaire correlated well with the physical component of the Short-Form (36)
Health Survey and moderately with the mental component, suggesting that its
construct validity was good.
CONCLUSION: The Dutch Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire can be used for
health-related quality-of-life research in lower limb lymphoedema patients.
© The Author(s) 2015.
DOI: 10.1177/0268355515586312
PMID: 25956549 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
