Psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (a pilot study).
OBJECTIVE
To arrange and test for its psychometric properties Lithuanian version of Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index and assess quality of life among snoring and obstructive sleep apnea patients before and after the treatment.


METHODS
Cross-cultural adaptation of Lithuanian version of Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index was accomplished according to generally accepted methodology. In total, 36 (29 males and 7 females) patients (mean age, 41.1+/-9.7 years) suffering from socially disturbing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea were included into the study. All patients underwent complete full-night polysomnography (mean apnea/hypopnea index, 12.7+/-11.2) and were treated with two sessions of radiofrequency tissue ablation at the palatal and tong base (if it was necessary) levels. Lithuanian version of the Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index was presented before the treatment with radiofrequency tissue ablation and in the period of 2 to 3 months after the treatment. Thirty-five patients repeated the same questionnaire after three weeks to assess the reliability of scores.


RESULTS
The Cronbach's a coefficients of internal reliability were above the standard (0.7 for groups) in all subdomains and domains. Test-retest correlation coefficients for each domain (ranged from 0.92 to 0.94) were statistically significant (P<0.0001). Lithuanian version of the questionnaire was found to be responsive to clinical change. A statistically significant difference in the mean Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index scores in the study group patients before and after the surgery was found in all daily functioning subdomains and social interactions domains.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the results of the present pilot study demonstrate that the Lithuanian version of Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index is applicable for clinical purposes.
Balsevicius
Tomas
T
Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eiveniu 2, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. balseviciai@gmail.com
Uloza
Virgilijus
V
Sakalauskas
Raimundas
R
Miliauskas
Skaidrius
S
Reklaitiene
Regina
R
Baceviciene
Migle
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017286:Polysomnography; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D012913:Snoring; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery; D014177:Translations