title: Validation of the Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) in Dutch Patients Diagnosed with Lymphoedema of the Lower Limbs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire is a validated disease-specific instrument to measure the impact of lymphoedema on patients' lives. In this study, we tested its psychometric properties and validated the use of the questionnaire in its Dutch translation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained the answers to a standardised questionnaire, including Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire and Short-Form (36) Health Survey, twice at an interval of 2 weeks in 60 patients with lower limb lymphoedema. Feasibility was tested on the basis of missing responses and response distribution. Structure was studied using factor analysis. The reliability of the Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire was assessed using Crohnbach's α and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was tested by correlating Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire scores with the Short-Form (36) Health Survey scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 88.2%. One of the 22 items missed >10% of responses; another showed a borderline ceiling effect. Internal consistency was good and test-retest reliability was excellent. The Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire correlated well with the physical component of the Short-Form (36) Health Survey and moderately with the mental component, suggesting that its construct validity was good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Dutch Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire can be used for health-related quality-of-life research in lower limb lymphoedema patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands Polikliniek de Blaak, 3011 GB Rotterdam, The Netherlands talthomas@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: van de Pas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department of Dermatology, TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, 5042 AD Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A A M
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Biemans
authors.affiliation: Polikliniek de Blaak, 3011 GB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R S M
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Boonen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands Centre for Physical and Manual Therapy 't Gilde (PBV), Gorinchem, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Viehoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands Polikliniek de Blaak, 3011 GB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H A M
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004487:Edema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Dutch; Lymphoedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire; lymphoedema; psychometrics validation; quality of life