Evaluation of the short-form 36-item questionnaire to measure health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the use of the 36-item short-form questionnaire (SF-36) for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).


METHODS
: Observational data at a single point in time.


METHODS
: A specialized outpatient respiratory clinic.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients (mean +/- SE age, 58.29 +/- 1.87 years) with IPF and no significant comorbidity. A matched control group for HRQL measurements was composed of 34 normal subjects (mean age, 58.00 +/- 1.89 years).


RESULTS
Dyspnea was measured by the baseline dyspnea index (BDI). Respiratory function evaluation included FVC, FEV(1), and resting arterial blood gases. IPF patients showed a mean BDI score of 5.21 +/- 0.46. The mean FVC and FEV(1) values were 62.41 +/- 2.96% and 66.41 +/- 3.33%, respectively. The mean PaO(2) was 67 +/- 2.51 mm Hg, and the mean PaCO(2) was 37 +/- 1. 05 mm Hg. Patients scored significantly worse than control subjects with respect to the SF-36 domains of physical functioning, physical role, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health index. BDI scores were significantly correlated with five SF-36 components, and FVC and FEV(1) were significantly correlated with two SF-36 components. Significant negative correlations were found between arterial pH and four SF-36 domains.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with IPF have a significant impairment of HRQL in both physical and psychological functioning. Dyspnea is the most important factor influencing the quality of life in these subjects. The SF-36 questionnaire is a valid instrument to evaluate HRQL in IPF patients.
Martinez
T Y
TY
Pulmonary Division, Federal University of São Paulo/UNIFESP, Brazil.
Pereira
C A
CA
dos Santos
M L
ML
Ciconelli
R M
RM
Guimarães
S M
SM
Martinez
J A
JA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012803:Sick Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D014797:Vital Capacity
D010100:Oxygen