Construct and concurrent validation of the MG-QOL15 in the practice setting

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) estimates can play an important role in patient care by providing information about the patient's perception of impairment and disability and the degree to which the patient tolerates disease manifestations. The 15-item myasthenia gravis quality of life scale (MG-QOL15) is an HRQOL evaluative instrument specific to patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) that was designed to be easy to administer and interpret. In this multicenter study we demonstrate the construct validity of the MG-QOL15 in the practice setting. To assess the construct validity, score distributions were examined for test items in different MG patient groups that represent the clinical spectrum of the disease. For example, patients in remission more frequently scored test items as normal than did patients in other groups. Patients with lower (better) MG composite scores also more frequently scored items as normal than did patients with higher (worse) scores. There was also appropriate correlation between the MG-QOL15 and the other MG-specific scales studied. The study findings shed light on what troubles MG patients. The MG-QOL15 has construct validity in the clinical practice setting and represents an efficient and valuable tool for assessing HRQOL for patients with MG.