Measuring change in quality of life in response to Helicobacter pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease - The QOLRAD

This study was designed to determine if a new condition-specific quality of life measure, the Quality Of Life in Reflux And Dyspepsia (QOLRAD), was re sponsive to clinical change over a four-week period when evaluating peptic ulcer disease patients undergoing Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication. A s econdary aim was to evaluate QOLRAD's psychometric performance. Hp-positive patients with peptic ulcer disease were recruited from primary care and ga stroenterology clinics (N = 155). QOLRAD scores improved significantly (P < 0.0001) and mean total score increase was 1.07 points on a 7-point scale a mong 111 subjects who responded to Hp eradication. Effect sizes were modera te for responders (0.64) and low for nonresponders (0.36). Score changes be low 0.60 were associated with the smallest improvement in patient and physi cian condition rating; scores above 1.2 were associated with the greatest i mprovement. The QOLRAD demonstrates reliability and validity. Changes in QO LRAD score can be meaningfully related to clinical changes, aiding evaluati on of health-related quality of life in peptic ulcer disease.