Development of Chinese Version of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (Chi-PCOSQ)

Abstract

ObjectivesTo develop the Chinese version of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (Chi-PCOSQ).Research Design and MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan. Eighty women who met the criteria were enrolled: female, age range of 18–45 years, competent in the Chinese language, had been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and were regularly followed at outpatient clinics (defined as at least two outpatient visits before enrollment). The PCOSQ was translated and culturally adapted according to standard procedures. A semi-structured interview was applied to assess face validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to determine scale constructs. Measurements of internal consistency via Cronbach’s α, test-retest reliability via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), construct validity, and discriminative validity were performed.ResultsFive additional items, representing the issues of acne, hair loss, and fear of getting diabetes, were incorporated into the original scale. A six-factor structure emerged as a result of the EFA, explaining 71.9% of the variance observed. The reliability analyses demonstrated satisfactory results for Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.78–0.96, and for ICC ranging from 0.73–0.86. Construct validity was confirmed by significant correlation between the domains of the Chi-PCOSQ and generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures (WHOQOL-BREF, EQ-5D) and clinical parameters (body mass index, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure). The known-group analysis indicated that the Chi-PCOSQ is a discriminative tool that differentiates patients according to their HRQoL.ConclusionThe Chi-PCOSQ seems internally consistent, culturally acceptable, and our preliminary evidence suggests that it may be reliable and valid. The Chi-PCOSQ is a promising assessment tool to address the HRQoL of women affected by PCOS in Chinese-speaking countries and to further identify ethnic/cultural differences in the HRQoL of women with PCOS.

Validation of Chinese Version of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (Chi-PCOSQ)

“…Recently, we adapted the HRQoL Questionnaire for Women with PCOS (PCOSQ) into a Chinese version with cultural adaptations. The newly developed Chinese version of PCOSQ was named as Chi-PCOSQ) [ 15 ]. Chi-PCOSQ was shown to be reliable and valid for a sample of ethnic Chinese women with PCOS [ 15 ].…”

“…The newly developed Chinese version of PCOSQ was named as Chi-PCOSQ) [ 15 ]. Chi-PCOSQ was shown to be reliable and valid for a sample of ethnic Chinese women with PCOS [ 15 ]. The uniqueness of Chi-PCOSQ is that it incorporates three additional items (“acne”, “hair loss”, and “feel frightened of getting diabetes”) into the original PCOSQ.…”

“…The uniqueness of Chi-PCOSQ is that it incorporates three additional items (“acne”, “hair loss”, and “feel frightened of getting diabetes”) into the original PCOSQ. Acne and hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), as characterized by clinical hyperandrogenism, are common presentations of PCOS and were frequently reported in our previous study of Chinese women with PCOS [ 15 ]. Acne or hair loss problems associated with PCOS can lead to psychological disturbances (i.e., low self-esteem, depression, feelings of unattractiveness) in PCOS patients [ 16 ].…”

“…Previous studies of Asian women with PCOS have shown that PCOS increases the risks of impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes [ 19 , 20 ]. In addition to assessing the fear of getting cancer in the original PCOSQ [ 17 ], our previous study found that Chinese women with PCOS also had a fear of getting diabetes [ 15 ]. Chi-PCOSQ was developed as a culturally specific HRQoL instrument and thus may better address the impact of PCOS on the HRQoL of Chinese women with PCOS.…”

Understanding polycystic ovary syndrome from the patient perspective: a concept elicitation patient interview study

“…The most widely used disease-specific patient reported outcome (PRO) instrument available for PCOS is the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ) [ 20 ], of which a modified version also exists [ 21 ], as well as several language-specific adaptations [ 22 – 25 ]. However, the PCOSQ has several limitations that may limit its use in clinical trials.…”