Acne Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acne, including details on skin problems, diet, treatments, puberty. | ||||||||
|
Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index: validity and reliability in patients with acne.Takahashi N, Suzukamo Y, Nakamura M, Miyachi Y, Green J, Ohya Y, Finlay AY, Fukuhara S, Institute for Health Outcomes and Process Evaluation Research, Tokyo, Japan. n-takahashi@jcqhc.or.jp BACKGROUND: Patient-reported quality of life is strongly affected by some dermatologic conditions. We developed a Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI-J) and used psychometric methods to examine its validity and reliability. METHODS: The Japanese version of the DLQI was created from the original (English) version, using a standard method. The DLQI-J was then completed by 197 people, to examine its validity and reliability. Some participants completed the DLQI-J a second time, 3 days later, to examine the reproducibility of their responses. In addition to the DLQI-J, the participants completed parts of the SF-36 and gave data on their demographic and clinical characteristics. Their physicians provided information on the location and clinical severity of the skin disease. RESULTS: The participants reported no difficulties in answering the DLQI-J items. Their mean age was 24.8 years, 77.2% were female, and 78.7% had acne vulgaris. The mean score of DLQI was 3.99(SD: 3.99). The responses were found to be reproducible and stable. Results of principal-component and factor analysis suggested that this scale measured one construct. The correlations of DLQI-J scores with sex or age were very poor, but those with SF-36 scores and with clinical severity were high. CONCLUSION: The DLQI-J provides valid and reliable data despite having only a small number of items. Published 1 September 2006 in Health Qual Life Outcomes, 4: 46.
© 2004-2008 Acne Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
