title: Problems with the performance of the SF-36 among people with type 2 diabetes in general practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To validate the short form-36 (SF-36) among people with type 2 diabetes in general practice, and to make comparisons with the Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Postal survey with one reminder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four general practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-four eligible patients (30-70 years) with type 2 diabetes on 14 general practitioner lists.
  
  
  METHODS
  SF-36 response rates, distribution of dimension scores and internal consistency. Median scores in relation to sociodemography and self-reported health. Comparisons with ADDQoL scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and thirty-one patients responded (71%). Distributions of SF-36 dimension scores were mostly skewed. Internal consistency and construct validity were acceptable, with predictable sociodemographic trends. People with illness related to or unrelated to diabetes scored significantly lower on most dimensions. SF-36 dimension scores correlated best with relevant diabetes-specific ADDQoL scores amongst respondents reporting no comorbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although valid and reliable, SF-36 scores are strongly affected by non-diabetic comorbidity in type 2 diabetes, supporting the complementary use of a diabetes-specific measure, providing information about the impact of diabetes specifically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. a.woodcock@rhul.ac.uk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Woodcock
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Julious
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kinmonth
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012923:Social Class