title: Quality of life measurement and outcome in aphasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality of life (QL) can be defined as the individual's perception of their own well-being. Aphasia is the most important potential consequence of stroke and has a profound effect on a patient's life, causing emotional distress, depression, and social isolation, due to loss of language functions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To draw up a QL questionnaire for aphasics (QLQA) focusing particularly on difficulties in interpersonal relationships and on the loss of independence as a result of language disorders. We reported the results of a psychometric evaluation of this measure. Moreover, we experimentally focused on the differences in QLQA between patients affected only by neurological motor impairment and hemiparetic patients with aphasia (PWA) in order to verify the specific role of aphasia on QL. We also explored if the QLQA is sensitive to the severity of aphasia and to the time elapsing from the stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 146 consecutive PWA and 37 control subjects were enrolled to evaluate the reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability) and validity of the QLQA, using standard psychometric methods. Patients were divided into acute (within 3 months since stroke) and chronic (beyond 3 months) groups, and into mild and severe according to the severity of aphasia. The experimental group of only acute PWA was compared to control subjects, with right hemispherical lesion and without aphasia in QLQA total and partial scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The QLQA had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Acute and chronic PWA and mild and severe ones differed in QLQA total, communication, and autonomy subscales. No differences were found in psychological condition. Between aphasic and control patients, significant differences were found in all QLQA subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QLQA is a valid measure of QL in PWA, contributing to a better distinction between severe and mild aphasia, and it is sensitive also to the variations in QL depending on the time interval from stroke.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spaccavento
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Craca
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Palma
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Cassano Murge Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loverre
keywords: aphasia; outcome; quality of life; rehabilitation