Discriminant properties of commonly used quality of life measures in heart failure.

摘要: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) instruments have been used to measure HRQL in heart failure patients, but how different compare the same groups patients is not known. The purpose this study was reliability and validity three measures 211 recruited from clinics affiliated with an urban hospital. Two disease-specific instruments, chronic questionnaire (CHQ) living (LHFQ), one generic instrument, short-form 12 (SF-12), were administered. Patients reported moderate low scores. Floor or ceiling effects noted instruments. Internal consistency reliabilities CHQ LHFQ satisfactory. Construct, convergent, discriminant supported for each instrument. Each scale subscale, except SF-12 mental component scale, differentiated between New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I, II, III plus IV; physical subscale only differentiate NYHA IV. All satisfactory measuring HRQL, preferable decision which instrument use depends on study.