Validation of an electronic version of the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
The Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ) is a validated disease-specific quality of life (QOL) paper (p) questionnaire. Electronic (e) versions enable inclusion of asthma QOL in electronic medical records and research databases.


OBJECTIVE
To validate an e-version of the MiniAQLQ, compare time required for completion of e- and p-versions, and determine which version participants prefer.


METHODS
Adults with stable asthma were randomized to complete either the e- or p-MiniAQLQ, followed by a 2-h rest period before completing the other version. Agreement between versions was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis.


RESULTS
Two participants with incomplete p-MiniAQLQ responses were excluded. Forty participants (85% female; age 47.7 +/- 14.9 years; asthma duration 22.6 +/- 16.1 years; FEV(1) 87.1 +/- 21.6% predicted) with both AQLQ scores <6.0 completed the study. Agreement between e- and p-versions for the overall score was acceptable (ICC=0.95) with no bias (difference (Delta) p-e=0.1; P=0.21). ICCs for the symptom, activity limitation, emotional function and environmental stimuli domains were 0.94, 0.89, 0.90, and 0.91 respectively. A small but significant bias (Delta=0.3; P=0.004) was noted in the activity limitation domain. Completion time was significantly longer for the e-version (3.8 +/- 1.9min versus 2.7 +/- 1.1min; P<0.0001). The majority of patients (57.5%) preferred the e-MiniAQLQ; 35% had no preference.


CONCLUSIONS
This e-version of the MiniAQLQ is valid and was preferred by most participants despite taking slightly longer to complete. Generalizabilty may be limited in younger (12-17) and older (>65) adults.
Olajos-Clow
J
J
Asthma Research Unit, Clinical Research Centre, Kingston General Hospital, Ontario, Canada. olajosj@kgh.kari.net
Minard
J
J
Szpiro
K
K
Juniper
E F
EF
Turcotte
S
S
Jiang
X
X
Jenkins
B
B
Lougheed
M D
MD
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome