Development and psychometric validation of an eating disorder-specific health-related quality of life instrument.
OBJECTIVE
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been used increasingly as an outcome measure in clinical research. Although the generic quality of life instruments has been used in previous research, disease-specific instruments offer greater sensitivity and responsiveness to change than generic instruments. No such disease-specific instrument is currently available that applies to eating-disordered samples.


METHODS
The current article reports on the development and validation of the Eating Disorders Quality of Life (EDQOL) instrument, a disease-specific HRQOL self-report questionnaire designed for disordered eating patients.


RESULTS
The EDQOL demonstrates excellent psychometric properties.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of the EDQOL as an outcome measure in eating disorder research is considered.
Engel
Scott G
SG
Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota 58107, USA. sengel@nrifargo.com
Wittrock
David A
DA
Crosby
Ross D
RD
Wonderlich
Stephen A
SA
Mitchell
James E
JE
Kolotkin
Ronette L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires