Using the WHOQOL-DIS to measure quality of life in persons with physical disabilities caused by neurodegenerative disorders.

OBJECTIVE

Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) have a major impact on quality of life (QoL) and place a substantial burden on patients, their families and carers; they are the second leading cause of disability. The objective of this study was to examine QoL in persons with ND.

METHODS

A battery of subjective assessments was used, including the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disability (WHOQOL-DIS). Psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-DIS were investigated using classical psychometric methods.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 149) were recruited and interviewed at two specialized centers to obtain information on health and disability perceptions, depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression, HADS-D), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), Satisfaction with Life (SWL), generic QoL (WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-DIS), specific QoL (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, MSIS-29; Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, PDQ-39) and sociodemographics. Internal consistency was acceptable, except for the WHOQOL-BREF social (0.67). Associations, using Pearson's and Spearman's rho correlations, were confirmed between WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-DIS with MSIS-29, PDQ-39, HADS-D, FAS and SWL. Regarding 'known group' differences, Student's t tests showed that WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-DIS scores significantly discriminated between depressed and nondepressed and those perceiving a more severe impact of the disability on their lives.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to report on use of the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-DIS in Spanish persons with ND; they are promising useful tools in assessing persons with ND through the continuum of care, as they include important dimensions commonly omitted from other QoL measures.