The Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life 19 (ADDQoL): feasibility, reliability and validity in a population-based sample of Australian adults

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the psychometric properties of the most recent 19 item version of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) in a large, population-based sample of adults living in Australia.

Methods: A total of 3,951 people living with diabetes completed the ADDQoL as part of the Living With Diabetes Study. Data analysis investigated the feasibility of using the ADDQoL in a large, population-based survey; internal consistency; adherence to a single-factor structure; and convergent/discriminant validity.

Results: Data support the feasibility of using the ADDQoL in population-based survey research. Although a strict single-factor structure for the ADDQoL was not demonstrated, the results overall support an interpretation of essential unidimensionality. A validation matrix provides support for the convergent and divergent validity of the measure, as does the ADDQoL's ability to discriminate between respondents based on insulin dependence and complications.

Conclusions: The ADDQoL has good psychometric properties and provides clinicians and researchers with a useful tool for comprehensively assessing quality of life in adults with diabetes.