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. 1996 Jan;47(1):67-71; discussion 71-2.
doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(99)80384-7.

Quality of life of persons with urinary incontinence: development of a new measure

T H Wagner  1 , D L Patrick, T G Bavendam, M L Martin, D P Buesching
Affiliations

Quality of life of persons with urinary incontinence: development of a new measure

T H Wagner et al. Urology. 1996 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: Our objective was to develop a self-report quality of life measure specific to urinary incontinence (I-QOL) that could be used as an outcome measure in clinical trials and in patient care centers.

Methods: The I-QOL was developed from interviews of 20 individuals with urinary incontinence. Refining the questionnaire was accomplished by structured interviews of 17 individuals with urinary incontinence. Testing the I-QOL's psychometric properties involved two administrations (n = 62) along with measures of psychologic well-being and functional status.

Results: The rigorous development process ensured that the measure was complete and understandable. The I-QOL proved to be internally consistent (alpha 0.95) and highly reproducible (r = 0.93; 18 days; SD 4). For discriminant validity, severity of incontinence (P < 0.0001) and number of medical appointments in the past year to treat incontinence (P < 0.0001) significantly predicted I-QOL scores. Convergent validity analyses confirmed our predictions that the I-QOL scores were more closely related to overall well-being than bodily pain.

Conclusions: The I-QOL proved to be valid and reproducible as a self-administered measure for assessing quality of life of patients with urinary incontinence.

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