Validation of the short-form interactive computerized quality of life scale (ICQOL-SF).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the concurrent validity of the short form of an interactive computerized quality of life (ICQOL-SF) measure for patients with chronic pain.


METHODS
The ICQOL-SF, consisting of one global and four separate domains of quality of life, was administered to 300 chronic pain patients in two pain centers. Participants also completed the full 21-item interactive computerized quality of life (ICQOL) program, a computerized version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and a computerized assessment of pain (CAP) program. In a second study, an independent group of 336 chronic pain patients completed the ICQOL-SF, the WHOQOL-BREF, and the CAP.


RESULTS
The ICQOL-SF in both studies demonstrated adequate concurrent validity with the WHOQOL-BREF (r = 0.75) and the CAP (r = 0.84). The five-item ICQOL-SF was also highly correlated with the full ICQOL (r = 0.90). Surprisingly, older individuals with more formal education and longer pain duration reported better quality of life. Number of past surgeries was negatively correlated with quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The five-item short-form interactive computerized method to assess quality of life demonstrates adequate concurrent validity and would be a useful, brief software measure in the assessment of persons with chronic pain. Additional studies are needed to determine the reliability and sensitivity to change of the ICQOL-SF.
Jamison
Robert N
RN
Department of Anesthesia, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02467, USA. rjamison@partners.org
Fanciullo
Gilbert J
GJ
McHugo
Gregory J
GJ
Baird
John C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003201:Computers; D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D018710:Pain Clinics; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors