title: Reliability of the Thai version of SF-36 questionnaire for an evaluation of quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients in multiple sclerosis clinic at Siriraj Hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To study the application, validity and reliability of a Thai version of SF-36 questionnaires in Thai multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  An evaluation of quality of life using a Thai version of SF-36 was performed in 70 MS or clinical isolated syndrome (CIS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of internal consistency was done by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and inter-item correlation; measurement of The test-retest reliability assessing consistency of the measure was done by Pearson correlation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 55 clinical definite MS patients, 12 laboratory-supported definite MS patients and 3 clinical-probable MS patients, according to Poser criteria. MS types were classified as PP-primary progressive MS(2), RR-relapsing remitting MS (59), SP-secondary progressive MS(3) and CIS(6). Internal consistency measured by Cronbach's Alpha exceeded 0.7 except social functions, which was 0.69. The item correlation coefficient ranged from 0.47-0.88. Reliability of test-retest all items determined by Pearson correlation was significant, ranging from 0.84-0.94.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thai version SF-36 questionnaire is reliable for the assessment of quality of life in Thai multiple sclerosis patients.
authors: Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Naressak
authors: N
authors: Laosanguanek
authors: Thaddao
authors: T
authors: Wiroteurairuang
authors: Sasitorn
authors: S
authors: Siritho
authors: Naraporn
authors: N
authors: Prayoonwiwat
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013785:Thailand