The UK IBDQ - A British version of the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire: development and validation

Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQL) is becoming more impor tant in studies of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The McMaster I BDQ is the most widely used HRQL instrument for these patients. However, it s use with patients in the United Kingdom has not been validated. This stud y develops and validates a UK version of the McMaster IBDQ (UK IBDQ). The U K IBDQ was tested with two samples of patients for its reliability, validit y, reproducibility, and responsiveness. The first sample consisted of 180 p atients participating in a randomized clinical trial. The second was recrui ted from members of the National Association for Colitis and Crohns Disease . Reliability of the subscales and the summary score of the UK IBDQ is demo nstrated by Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations. Their validity is demonstrated by their correlations with SF-36 subscales and an empirical i ndex of disease activity. Good intraclass correlations and responsiveness r atios show their reproducibility and responsiveness. The findings support t he reliability, validity, reproducibility, and responsiveness of the UK IBD Q and its acceptability to patients in UK. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. A ll rights reserved.