title: Validation of a novel postoperative quality-of-life scoring system.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. conor.delaney@UHhospitals.org
authors.forename: Conor P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.forename: Rolv-Ole
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Lindsetmo
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Brien-Ermlich
authors.forename: Vinay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Cheruvu
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laughinghouse
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Champagne
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marderstein
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Obias
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Debanne
mesh_terms: 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