title: Quality of life assessment in schizophrenia: applicability of the Lehman Quality of Life Questionnaire (TL-30).
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the applicability of a quality of life self-rating scale - the Lehman Quality of Life Questionnaire TL-30 - to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the TL-30 and finally to test the quality of life in schizophrenic patients compared with a general population. Patients with ICD-10 F20 schizophrenia were included. An interviewer-administrated quality of life instrument, the Lehman's QoLI interview guide, and two questionnaires, the Lehman TL-30 and the Medical Outcome Study (SF-36) were used at baseline. Hereafter the two questionnaires were completed again 2 weeks after discharge from hospital for the evaluation of test-retest reliability. A total of 56 patients were interviewed and 40 patients (or 71%) completed the questionnaires. Statistically significant correlation was found between the interview form and the questionnaire version. The test-retest coefficients were at the same level (approximate 0.70 for most Lehman subscales) as found for the SF-36 subscales. Compared with the general population, lower health-related quality of life (SF-36) was found in schizophrenia (P<0.01). The results of the present study confirm that the Lehman Quality of Life questionnaire can be validly used in stable schizophrenics.
authors.affiliation: Frederiksborg General Hospital, Psychiatric Research Institute, Hilleroed, Denmark. vnoerholm@mail.dk
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nørholm
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bech
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires