title: Development and validation of the Dutch version of the London Handicap Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The London Handicap Scale (LHS) was found to be a valid and reliable scale for measuring participation restrictions in adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes the development and assesses the construct-related validity of a Dutch version of the London Handicap Scale (DLHS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The DLHS was tested in 798 adults (mean age: 50.7 years, SD=14.5, range 16 to 85) and validated with the 'Impact on Participation and Autonomy' (IPA) questionnaire, the Dutch version of the EQ-5D and questions concerning comorbidity and use of medical devices. The study population consisted of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), epilepsy, laryngectomy and multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Feasibility was satisfactory. Large correlations (ρ > 0.6) for the DLHS sum score were found with the IPA subscales 'autonomy outdoors', 'perceiving problems', 'family role', autonomy indoors', 'work and education' and with the EQ-5D. The DLHS sum score differs significantly between subgroups based on the number of chronic diseases, number of medical devices and self-reported burden of disease or handicap (p< 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this evaluation the questionnaire seems feasible and valid for assessing differences in level of participation between subgroups of chronically ill or disabled persons in the Netherlands.
authors.affiliation: MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Catharina G M
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Groothuis-Oudshoorn
authors.affiliation: TNO, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Astrid M J
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chorus
authors.affiliation: TNO, Leiden, The Netherlands Academic Center Dentistry Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G H W
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Verrips
authors.affiliation: TNO, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Symone B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Detmar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009426:Netherlands; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Disability; Dutch; London handicap scale; construct-related validity; quality of life