title: [A new instrument to measure quality of life in older people: The French version of the WHOQOL-OLD].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present the validation data of the French version of a new quality of life questionnaire, specifically developed for use with older adults (>60 years old): the WHOQOL-OLD module. This questionnaire, which contains 24 items in six domains, is a complementary module of the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire. It was internationally developed by a World Health Organization (WHO) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first development and pilot studies led to a first questionnaire applied in field studies in 20 centers all over the world. They were done in 5566 subjects and allowed the validation of the final form of the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. For its French version, 281 subjects, with a mean age of 74 years, were recruited in three centers (Paris, Nancy and Geneva).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, particularly the multitrait analysis, are compatible with the assumptions underlying the construction of scores. Otherwise, scores present a sufficient accuracy to use this instrument in group comparisons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire can be used in older people in health services, clinical research and epidemiologic studies.
authors.affiliation: Département d'histoire et de philosophie des sciences, université Paris-Diderot, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leplège
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perret-Guillaume
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ecosse
authors.forename: M-P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hervy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ankri
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: von Steinbüchel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires