The WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Questionnaire: Danish validation study

The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the Danish translation of the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire, the WHOQOL, by means of the psychom etric properties of the Danish version. The translation method followed the WHO standard procedures, including forward and backward translation, focus group discussions, and assessment of response choice weighting through vis ual analogue scales. In the study we evaluated the applicability of the WHO QOL in patients with physical and mental disorders compared with a sample o f healthy controls. The WHOQOL was compared with health-related quality of life questionnaire SF36 (Short Form 36). The internal consistency or homoge neity of the Danish WHOQOL was found adequate, and its applicability and it s performance in distinguishing between population groups were satisfactory . The abbreviated version of WHOQOL-100, the WHOQOL-BREF, was analysed sepa rately and was also found psychometrically valid. The WHOQOL is a questionn aire that is easy to administer, and it seems applicable for use.