Linguistic and Psychometric Validation of the Diabetes-Specific Quality-of-Life Scale in U.K. English for Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo develop a linguistically and psychometrically validated U.K. English (U.K./Ireland) version of the Diabetes-Specific Quality-of-Life Scale (DSQOLS) for adults with type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe conducted independent forward and backward translation of the validated German DSQOLS. An iterative interview study with health professionals (n = 3) and adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 8) established linguistic validity. The DSQOLS was included in three Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) studies (total N = 1,071). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was undertaken to examine questionnaire structure. Concurrent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, and reliability were assessed.RESULTSEFA indicated a six-factor structure for the DSQOLS (social aspects, fear of hypoglycemia, dietary restrictions, physical complaints, anxiety about the future, and daily hassles). High internal consistency reliability was found for these factors and the weighted treatment satisfaction scale (α = 0.85–0.94). All subscales were moderately, positively correlated with the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality-of-Life (ADDQoL) measure, demonstrating evidence of concurrent validity. Lower DSQOLS subscale scores [indicating impaired quality of life (QoL)] were associated with the presence of diabetes-related complications.CONCLUSIONSThe DSQOLS captures the impact of detailed aspects of modern type 1 diabetes management (e.g., carbohydrate counting and flexible insulin dose adjustment) that are now routine in many parts of the U.K. and Ireland. The U.K. English version of the DSQOLS offers a valuable tool for assessing the impact of treatment approaches on QoL in adults with type 1 diabetes.

An assessment of diabetes-dependent quality of life (ADDQoL) in women and men in Poland with type 1 and type 2 diabetes

“…It has been proved that diabetes has a negative influence on the physical and psychological condition of the patient and on his/her social functioning, and the disease therefore leads to the deterioration of the level of quality of life (QoL) of patients with both T1DM [2,3] and T2DM [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. A review of the literature demonstrates that studies related to QoL of patients with diabetes have been carried out mainly among those with T2DM.…”

Improving management of type 1 diabetes in the UK: the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) programme as a research test-bed. A mixed-method analysis of the barriers to and facilitators of successful diabetes self-management, a health economic analysis, a cluster randomised controlled trial of different models of delivery of an educational intervention and the potential of insulin pumps and additional educator input to improve outcomes

“…Data from the DAFNE database were used to demonstrate the validity of the English-language version of the DSQOLS. 21 4. Development of a SMQ (DR006) and development and validation of the DAFNE SMQ (DR009).…”

“…17 Work to validate the scale in English (UK) was undertaken using the current data set and data from two other DAFNE studies 65,23 and is reported elsewhere. 21 The DSQOLS includes 57 diabetes-specific items, which form six subscales: social aspects, fear of hypoglycaemia, dietary restrictions, physical complaints, anxiety about the future and daily hassles. The subscales have excellent internal consistency (α = 0.74-0.94).…”

Eliciting the impact of digital consulting for young people living with long term conditions (LYNC study): which Patient Reported Outcome Measure? (Preprint)

“…We undertook a qualitative exploration of the PHBQ and the PAM using cognitive interviewing, an established method for the development and revision of PROMs (31)(32)(33)(34)(35).…”