[Adaptation of the Nottingham Health Profile: a simple measure to assess quality of life].
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), a generic instrument for quality of life assessment. This NHP was translated to Portuguese, following recommended methodology, and applied to 215 subjects, being 170 community elderly (66.3 +/- 8.5 years), 30 chronic stroke survivors (56.4 +/- 10.9 years), and 15 parkinsonians (59.6 +/- 10.2 years). The data was analysed by Rasch analysis. Out of the 38 items of NHP, only two items (5%) did not fit the statistical model, indicating that the items collaborated to measure a unidimensional construct. However, some items of NHP were very easy for the elderly, stroke survivors and Parkinsonians, characterizing a ceiling effect, which could limit the use of the scale for individuals with higher levels of ability. The results, in spite of indicating that the instrument fits the Rasch statistical model for this sample, indicate a need for revision of the items, in order to make the questionnaire more clinically useful.
Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. lfts@dedalus.lcc.ufmg.br
Luci Fuscaldi
LF
Teixeira-Salmela
Lívia de Castro
Lde C
Magalhães
Aline Cristina
AC
Souza
Maira de Castro
Mde C
Lima
Renata Cristina Magalhães
RC
Lima
Fátima
F
Goulart
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014175:Translating