Developing a quality of life measure for Chinese patients with diabetes

The objective of this study was to develop a Chinese version of-the Diabete s Quality of Life measure (DQOL), appropriate for elderly Chinese immigrant s with Type 2 diabetes and evaluate its reliability and validity through ps ychometric testing. Using an established diabetes quality of life measure, pre employed focus groups to modify the instrument to be appropriate for an elderly Chinese population. The revised version was forward translated and back translated by four individuals independently. A review committee cons ensus determined the final version, which was pre-tested on five lay people to assess the equivalence of meaning. Elderly Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes (n = 70) attending either an endocrinology or family practice cli nic near Toronto were recruited to complete the Chinese version of the DQOL . Reliability of the instrument was assessed by evaluating internal consist ency, item-internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Divergent vali dity was assessed to show that the instrument could detect worsening qualit y of life associated with diabetic complications. The Chinese version of th e DQOL consists of 42 items and three scales including satisfaction, impact and diabetes-related worry. The DQOL and its three scales had high:degrees of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.76-0.92) and excellent test- retest reliability (Pearson correlation = 0.94-0.99). All items had high co rrelation with their hypothesized scale with the exception of three items. Divergent validity of the instrument was demonstrated. This study provides evidence for the reliability and validity of this Chinese version of the DQ OL measure for an elderly Chinese population with Type 2 diabetes. This ins trument may be used in future studies to better understand the quality of l ife of the Chinese population with diabetes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irel and Ltd. All rights reserved.