A cardiovascular extension of the Health Measurement Questionnaire

Objective-To investigate the psychometric properties of a cardiovascular ex tension of an existing utility-based quality of life questionnaire (Health Measurement Questionnaire). The new instrument has been named the Utility B ased Quality of life-Heart questionnaire, or UBQ-H. Design-Explored the test-retest reliability, construct validity, and respon siveness of the UBQ-H. Patients-A sample of 322 patients attending cardiac outpatient clinics were recruited from two large metropolitan teaching hospitals. A second sample of 1112 patients taking part in the LIPID trial was also used to investigat e the validity and responsiveness of the UBQ-H. Results-Ninety per cent of all UBQ-H questionnaires were returned, and item completion rates were high (median of less than 1% missing or N/A answers) . Cronbach's alpha measure of internal consistency for the scales ranged be tween 0.79-0.91, and each item was also most strongly correlated with its h ypothesised domain than alternative domains, The intra-class test-retest re liability of the UBQ-R scales ranged from 0.65 to 0.81 for patients with st able health. Results supported the construct validity of the UBQ-H. The UBQ -H was significantly correlated with other information on quality of life ( for example, General Health Questionnaire) as anticipated. The instrument w as able to distinguish between contrasted groups of patients (for example, with versus without symptoms of dyspnoea, prior myocardial infarction versu s none, etc), and was responsive to changes in health associated with adver se events requiring hospitalisation. Conclusions-The modifications made to the Health Measurement Questionnaire has resulted in an assessment designed for cardiovascular patients that has proved to be both reliable and valid.