Validity and reliability of "Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire" in a sample of Turkish adult asthmatic patients

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the validity and reliability and of "Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ)" in Turkish adult asthmatic patients. New or previously diagnosed [according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2008] symptomatic 118 consecutive stable asthmatic patients between 18 and 55 years old were included. Asthma severity was determined and Turkish adaptation of the AQLQ was administered. Lara asthma symptom scales (LASS), pulmonary function tests, Turkish adaptation of Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) were evaluated. All assessments were done twice at recruitment and after 10 weeks. During this period patients were allowed to make modifications on their medication when necessary. Among the recruited 118 patients 95 were female and 14 were lost in the follow-up. Sixty-two percentages of the patients had mild and 38% moderate asthma. The internal consistency of AQLQ was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.81-0.87) and item-total score correlations were ranging from 0.75-0.89. The cross-sectional and longitudinal correlations between AQLQ total and domain scores and SF36 domain scores were in a range of little or fair degree (r= 0.241-0.626, p< 0.005). Total AQLQ scores were observed significantly different according to disease severity and LASS both in the first (p< 0.001, both) and 10 weeks follow-up visits (p= 0.006, p< 0.001 respectively). A statistical significant change was observed in AQLQ symptom score as in total LASS changed (p< 0.001, both) in the follow-up. Our results demonstrated that Turkish version of AQLQ is feasible, reliable, valid and sensitive to changes in adult asthmatics.