title: Randomized controlled trials 7: Analysis and interpretation of quality-of-life scores.
abstract: Quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes are important elements of randomized controlled trials. The instruments for measurement of QoL vary but usually multiple comparisons are possible, a concern that can be offset by prespecifying the outcomes of interest. Missing data may threaten the validity of QoL assessments in trials. Therefore familiarity with the strategies used to account for missing data is necessary. Measures that incorporate both survival and QoL are helpful for treatment decisions. The definition of minimal clinically important differences in QoL scores is important and often derived using inadequate methods.
authors.affiliation: Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA, robfoley@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Parfrey
mesh_terms: D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis