title: Demonstration of the validity of the SF-36 for measurement of the temporal recovery of quality of life outcomes in burns survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Outcome assessment after burn is complex. Determination of quality of life is often measured using the Burns Specific Health Scale (BSHS), a validated tool in the burn population. The SF-36 is a generic quality of life questionnaire that is validated for numerous populations, but not in burns. The aim of the study was to examine the validity of SF-36, using the BSHS as a reference.
  
  
  METHODS
  280 burn patients were recruited at Royal Perth Hospital. Each completed SF-36 and BSHS-B at regular intervals to 2 years after burn. Regression modelling was used to assess the temporal validity and the relative sensitivity of the measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SF-36 domains and BSHS-B demonstrated significant associations at all time points (r=0.37-0.76, p<0.002). In the months after burn, SF-36 domains: role physical; bodily pain; social function and role emotional outperformed BSHS-B total score and domain scores. Greater measurement sensitivity was demonstrated in all SF-36 summary and subscales measures (except General Health) when compared to BSHS-B and sub-domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated SF-36 as a valid measure of recovery of quality of life in the burn patient population. The data suggests that SF-36 components were more sensitive to change than the BSHS-B from ∼1 month after injury.
authors.affiliation: Western Australian Burn Service, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia. dale.edgar@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Dale
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edgar
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hankey
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult