Validation of an electronic version of the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire
Received 19 July 2009; accepted 23 November 2009. published online 12 March 2010.
Summary
Background
The Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ) is a validated disease-specific quality of life (QOL) paper (p) questionnaire. Electronic (e) versions enable inclusion of asthma QOL in electronic medical records and research databases.
Purpose
To validate an e-version of the MiniAQLQ, compare time required for completion of e- and p-versions, and determine which version participants prefer.
Methods
Adults with stable asthma were randomized to complete either the e- or p-MiniAQLQ, followed by a 2-h rest period before completing the other version. Agreement between versions was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis.
Results
Two participants with incomplete p-MiniAQLQ responses were excluded. Forty participants (85% female; age 47.7 ± 14.9 years; asthma duration 22.6 ± 16.1 years; FEV1 87.1 ± 21.6% predicted) with both AQLQ scores <6.0 completed the study. Agreement between e- and p-versions for the overall score was acceptable (ICC=0.95) with no bias (difference (Δ) p–e=0.1; P=0.21). ICCs for the symptom, activity limitation, emotional function and environmental stimuli domains were 0.94, 0.89, 0.90, and 0.91 respectively. A small but significant bias (Δ=0.3; P=0.004) was noted in the activity limitation domain. Completion time was significantly longer for the e-version (3.8 ± 1.9min versus 2.7 ± 1.1min; P<0.0001). The majority of patients (57.5%) preferred the e-MiniAQLQ; 35% had no preference.
Conclusion
This e-version of the MiniAQLQ is valid and was preferred by most participants despite taking slightly longer to complete. Generalizabilty may be limited in younger (12–17) and older (>65) adults.
cDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
dCissec Corporation, 516 O'Connor Drive, Suite 201, Kingston, ON, Canada K7P 1N3
Corresponding author. Asthma Research Unit, Clinical Research Centre, Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 2V7. Tel.: +1 613 549 6666; fax: +1 613 548 7803.
ABSTRACT