Validation of a novel postoperative quality-of-life scoring system.
BACKGROUND
No specific scoring system exists for the assessment of postoperative quality of life (QOL) after major abdominal surgery. This study prospectively validates PQL, a novel prospective scoring system in patients having laparoscopic or open major abdominal colorectal surgery.


METHODS
Six experienced surgeons developed the questionnaire. Twenty patients reviewed and selected the most relevant questions, yielding 14 questions. One hundred patients undergoing a variety of colorectal procedures completed the questionnaire preoperatively, and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 30, and 60. Internal validation was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis.


RESULTS
Cronbach's alpha revealed excellent internal consistency, ranging from .84 to .94 at all time points, even at POD 1 when Cronbach's alpha was .79, demonstrating that the items in the questionnaire measured the same underlying construct. Factor analysis consistently loaded at each follow-up time on the same 2 factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Factor analysis consistently loaded at each follow-up time on the same 2 factors, designated the PQL Symptom Score and the PQL Recover Score.
Delaney
Conor P
CP
Division of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. conor.delaney@UHhospitals.org
Lindsetmo
Rolv-Ole
RO
O'Brien-Ermlich
Bridget
B
Cheruvu
Vinay K
VK
Laughinghouse
Michelle
M
Champagne
Brad
B
Marderstein
Eric
E
Obias
Vincent
V
Reynolds
Harry
H
Debanne
Sara M
SM
D003082:Colectomy; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires