Validity and reliability of Persian version of Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ). Qual Life Res. 2012;21:1479-1485. [PMID: 22081217 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-011-0059-5]

Psychometric Tests for Hepatitis B - A Systematic Review

Hepatitis B is a condition that directly affects hundreds of millions of people, who may require testing for certain psychological constructs. This systematic review presents the current state with regard to the instruments that are used for the measurement of psychological variables in relation to hepatitis B. We conducted a comprehensive search in bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library), and grey literature search. We identified commonly used measures, their psychometric properties and gaps in the research. Our findings from the 38 papers included in the review indicate that while several tests have been developed to cater to hepatitis B patients, most are focused on quality of life, with few targeting other needed directions, such as stigma or attitudes to vaccination. We also show the limits in current measures and discuss potential improvements.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of chronic liver disease questionnaire-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a multicenter cross-sectional survey in China

PURPOSE

The Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ)-Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a disease-specific instrument to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with NAFLD. In order to provide further evidence for the cross-cultural utility of this instrument in the Chinese population, we translated the CLDQ-NAFLD into Chinese and examined its reliability and validity.

METHODS

Patients with NAFLD in 90 hospitals across China were enrolled in this multicenter cross-sectional survey. Eligible patients completed the Chinese version of CLDQ-NAFLD at enrollment to assess HRQL. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and split-half reliability. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficient. Factor analysis was used to test the construct validity.

RESULTS

Between March and August 2019, 5181 patients with a mean age of 43.8 ± 13.3 years were enrolled. All domains exhibited good internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha and split-half reliability greater than 0.70. The scaling success rate of all domains was 100% for convergent validity and 99.4% (179/180) for discriminant validity. The inter-scale correlations indicated a significant correlation between all CLDQ-NAFLD domains (r = 0.608 to 0.832, all p < 0.001). Factor analysis of 36 items extracted 6 factors, which explained 69.14% of the total variance.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of CLDQ-NAFLD is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the HRQL of Chinese patients with NAFLD.

Quality of Life and Its Determinants in Liver Transplantation Candidates: A Missed Link in Liver Care Program during the Waiting Time for Liver Transplantation

Background

The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the before liver transplantation (LT) stage has not been studied as much as that after the LT stage. We aimed to assess HRQOL and its determinants before the LT stage.

Methods

As a cross-sectional study, HRQOL of all adult patients (n=632) referred to the LT center of Shiraz, Iran in 2018-2019 were assessed. Demographic, socioeconomic, medical, and paraclinical data were requested. Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) aspects of HRQOL were assessed using the SF36 questionnaire. Univariable, multivariable (linear regression), and confirmatory factor analysis were performed utilizing SPSS 20 and Mplus 6.1 software. P<0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 47.6±12.3 years, while 414 (65.6%) were men, and the mean, score of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) was 18.36±5.58. The mean score of QOL, PCS, and MCS was 50.01±21.73, 46.23±23.23, and 53.78±23.91 (out of 100), respectively. Vitality had the most association with HRQOL, while role limitations had the lowest. The multivariable analysis revealed that unemployment (P<0.001), anemia (P=0.005), weight loss (P=0.005), diabetes mellitus (DM) (P=0.009), low MELD score (P=0.027), and drug use (P=0.03) were the significant determinants of HRQOL, respectively.

Conclusion

The present study showed that HRQOL in the LT candidates was at the intermediate level, while their PCS and MCS are at the low and moderate levels, respectively. Furthermore, physical performance, job status, anemia, weight loss, MELD score, DM, and drug use should be considered as the significant determinants of HRQOL in the LT candidates.

Clinical validation of the chronic liver disease questionnaire for the Chinese population in Singapore

Background and Aim

Assessment of health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) requires the use of validated instruments that are understood by patients in their native language. We previously translated the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire into the Singapore‐Mandarin version (CLDQ‐SG). This study aims to examine the internal consistency and validity of the CLDQ‐SG in patients with CLD.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of adult patients with CLD seen in a tertiary center in Singapore who completed both the CLDQ‐SG and Short Form Health Survey 36 version 2 (SF‐36v2) questionnaires. Internal consistency of the CLDQ‐SG was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Convergent and divergent validity of the SF‐36v2 was assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient, while discriminant validity was assessed using the Jonckheere‐Terpstra test for trend. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the CLDQ‐SG.

Results

We enrolled 242 subjects (68.2% males, median age 67 years). Predominant etiology of CLD was chronic hepatitis B. Severity of CLD was divided into noncirrhotic (67.3%), compensated cirrhosis (24.0%), and decompensated cirrhosis (8.7%). Item convergent and discriminant validity of the CLDQ‐SG was excellent, with 100% scaling success in all six domains. All domains exhibited good internal consistency, with Cronbach's α > 0.70. We observed a consistent trend of a reduction in mean CLDQ‐SG score in the three groups reflecting the discriminant validity of the CLDQ‐SG to assess changes in HRQOL in different severities of CLD. Factor analysis of the CLDQ‐SG demonstrated an independent factor assessing sleep.

Conclusion

The Singapore‐Mandarin version of CLDQ‐SG is a valid and reliable instrument to measure HRQOL in patients with CLD.

Curcumin ameliorates health-related quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Current study aimed to find the effects of curcumin on quality of life (QoL) in liver cirrhotic patients.

DESIGN

In this randomized double-masked placebo-controlled trial, 70 cases with liver cirrhosis aged 20-70 years were randomly divided into two groups to receive 1000 mg/day curcumin (n = 35) or placebo (n = 35) for 12 weeks. The health-related QoL (HRQoL) was assessed by CLDQ, LDSI 2.0, and SF-36.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients (28 in curcumin and 30 in placebo groups) finished the research. Compared with baseline, overall scores as well as most of CLDQ domains (e.g. Fatigue, Emotional Function, Worry, Abdominal Symptoms, and Systemic Symptoms) and the Physical and Mental health (Total) scores and most of SF-36 domains (e.g. Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, Vitality, Social Functioning, and Mental Health) increased considerably (P < 0.05) after curcumin administration. Furthermore, curcumin reduced most of LDSI 2.0 domains (e.g. Itch, Joint pain, Pain in the right upper abdomen, Sleeping during the day, Decreased appetite, Depression, Fear of complication, Jaundice, Hindrance in Financial Affairs, Change in use of time, Decreased sexual interest, and Decreased sexual activity) significantly (P < 0.05). Significant differences were noticed between two groups in CLDQ domains and overall scores, LDSI 2.0 domains and overall scores, SF-36 Physical and Mental health (total) scores and all its domains scores (P < 0.05), adjusting for baseline values and disease duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Curcumin improved QoL in liver cirrhotic patients according to CLDQ, LDSI 2.0, and SF-36 domains. Additional studies are warranted to consider curcumin as a safe, accessible, and low-cost complementary therapeutic option in cirrhosis.

Translation and cultural adaption of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire for the Mandarin-speaking Chinese population in Singapore through cognitive debriefing

Background:

Patients with chronic liver disease often suffer from poor quality of life. The Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) is a validated tool to assess health-related quality of life in these patients. It has been translated and validated for use in many countries and languages globally.

Objectives:

We aimed to translate Mainland Chinese Mandarin to Singapore Mandarin and perform cross-cultural adaption of CLDQ for the Mandarin-speaking population in Singapore (CLDQ-SG).

Methods:

This study was conducted based on the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research Principles of Good Practice. The study consisted of two parts: part one involved cognitive debriefing and cultural adaption of CLDQ, and part two was a pilot study on the first version of CLDQ-SG among adult patients with chronic liver disease in a tertiary hospital.

Results:

During the cognitive debriefing process of part one, questions beginning with “recent” (最近) two weeks in Mandarin were changed to “last” (在过去) two weeks. Eighteen patients were recruited for part two of the study (50% male, mean age 49±13 years). Time taken to complete CLDQ-SG was 15±8 minutes, and the mean score was 5.1±0.5. The reliability of measurements for all domains was good, with an intra-class correlation coefficient ≥0.8. Items one and four needed further restructuring. There were no discrepancies between CLDQ and CLDQ-SG.

Conclusion:

This study showed that CLDQ-SG was culturally acceptable by the Mandarin-speaking population in Singapore. There were only two items that needed revision in the finalized CLDQ-SG.

Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in People With Hepatitis B Infection: Cross-cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version

There is no valid and well-established tool to measure fatigue in people with chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to translate the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) into Persian and examine its reliability and validity in Iranian people with chronic hepatitis B. The demographic questionnaire and MFI, as well as Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire and EuroQol-5D (to assess criterion validity), were administered in face-to-face interviews with 297 participants. A forward-backward translation method was used to develop a culturally adapted Persian version of the questionnaire. Cronbach's α was used to assess the internal reliability of the scale. Pearson correlation was used to assess criterion validity, and known-group method was used along with factor analysis to establish construct validity. Cronbach's α for the total scale was 0.89. Convergent and discriminant validities were also established. Correlations between the MFI and the health-related quality of life scales were significant (p < .01). The scale differentiated between subgroups of persons with the hepatitis B infection in terms of age, gender, employment, education, disease duration, and stage of disease. Factor analysis indicated a four-factor solution for the scale that explained 60% of the variance. The MFI is a valid and reliable instrument to identify fatigue in Iranians with hepatitis B.

Translation and validation of chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) in Tamil language

BACKGROUND

Chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ), a self-administered quality-of-life (QOL) instrument for chronic liver disease (CLD) patients, was originally developed in English language. We aimed to translate and validate CLDQ in Tamil language (CLDQ-T).

METHODS

CLDQ-T, prepared by two forward and two backward independent translations by four bilingual (Tamil and English) persons, and repeated iterative modifications, was validated in adult, native-Tamil patients with CLD. CLDQ-T was re-tested in some patients 2 weeks later. Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman's correlation, and discriminant validity by comparison with World Health Organization's brief QOL tool (WHOQOL-BREF). Reliability was assessed through internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation). Cutoff used for statistical significance was p<0.05.

RESULTS

The study included 126 patients (age: mean [SD] 46 years [12.5]; male 104; cause: alcohol 42%, HBV 25%, HCV 4%, cryptogenic 29%; CTP class A 47%, B 37%, and C 16%). In convergent validity, all domains except the "abdominal domain" showed significant correlation between CLDQ-T and WHOQOL-BREF. Patients with severe disease had lower scores for all domains of CLDQ-T except the "abdominal" domain, but not for any of the domains for WHOQOL-BREF. Overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.942, and more than 0.7 for all the individual domains except the "activity" domain. On retesting in 44 (35%) patients, intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.879 for the overall CLDQ-T score and >0.700 for individual domains.

CONCLUSION

CLDQ-T was easily understood and showed good performance characteristics in assessing QOL in Tamil-speaking patients with CLD.

Psychometrics of the Greek Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire for Measuring HRQL

The aim of the present study is to examine psychometric properties such as internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Greek CLDQ. A sample of 366 eligible patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) self-administered the Greek version of the SF-36 Health Survey, the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), and questions on sociodemographic status and treatment. Child Pugh Score was also collected. Hypothesized scale structure, reliability (Cronbach's alpha), and construct validity (convergent, discriminant, and known groups) were assessed. Multitrait scaling confirmed scale structure of the CLDQ with good item convergence (100%) and discrimination (84.1%) rates. Cronbach's alpha rated >0.70 for all scales. Spearman's correlations between the CLDQ and SF-36 scales assessing similar health-related quality of life dimensions were strong ranging above 0.70 (P < 0.0001). Construct validity was confirmed with satisfactory results for known-group comparisons. Most CLDQ scales discriminated significantly between patients according to disease severity, whereas all CLDQ scales discriminated between treatment receivers and nonreceivers. The overall psychometric results for the Greek version of the CLDQ confirmed it as a reliable and valid questionnaire.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Assessment of the Liver Disease Symptom Index 2.0 to Measure Health-Related Quality of Life Among Iranian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

PURPOSE

There are only a few measures to assess quality of life among patients with liver disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Liver Disease Symptom Index Version 2.0 (LDSI 2.0), a disease specific measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), in Persian-speaking patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHOD

Using a cross-sectional design, 312 patients were recruited. Data were collected from the patients using the LDSI 2.0, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire, and EuroQol. Convergent and discriminant validity were investigated. Known-groups validity and factor structure of the scale were also determined. Receiver operating characteristics was used to discriminate patients based on their general health status.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between HRQOL measures. Disease duration, disease stage, and serum aspartate aminotransferase differentiated patients. Factor analysis determined a seven-factor solution that explained 70% of the total variance. Area under the curve in receiver operating characteristics analysis was 0.706; 95% confidence interval = [0.648, 0.764].

CONCLUSIONS

The LDSI2.0 is an appropriate HRQOL scale for use among Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis B based on its solid psychometric properties in this population.

Introducing an optimal liver allocation system for liver cirrhosis patients

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation (LT) is the only treatment option for patients with advanced liver disease. Currently, liver donation to these patients, considering priorities, is based on the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD). MELD score is a tool for predicting the risk of mortality in patients with advanced liver disease. However, few studies have so far been conducted in Iran on the efficacy of MELD score of these patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study reviews the present status of the MELD score and introduces a new model for optimal prediction of the risk of mortality in Iranian patients with advanced liver disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data required were collected from 305 patients with advanced liver disease who enrolled in a waiting list (WL) in Imam Khomeini Hospital from May 2008 to May 2009. All of the patients were followed up for at least 3 years until they died or underwent LT. Cox regression analysis was applied to select the factors affecting their mortality. Survival curves were plotted. Wilcoxson test and receiver operating characteristics curves for survival predictive model were used to compare the scores. All calculations were performed with the SPSS (version 13.0) and R softwares.

RESULTS

During the study, 71 (23.3%) patients died due to liver cirrhosis and 43 (14.1%) underwent LT. Viral Hepatitis (43.7%) is the most common cause of end-stage liver disease among Iranian patients. A new model (NMELD) was proposed with the use of the natural logarithms of two blood serum variables (total bilirubin and albumin) and the patients' age (year) by applying the Cox model: NMELD = 10 × (0.736 × ln (bilirubin) - 1.312 × ln (albumin) + 0.025 × age + 1.776).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the Wilcoxon test showed that there is a significant difference between the usual MELD and our proposed NMELD scores (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristics curve for survival predictive model indicated that the NMELD score is more efficient compared with the MELD score in predicting the risk of mortality. Since serum creatinine was not significant in NMELD score, further studies to clarify this issue are suggested.

Psychometrics of chronic liver disease questionnaire in Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients

AIM: To evaluate psychometrics of the Chinese (mainland) chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 460 Chinese patients with CHB was selected from the Outpatient Department of the Eighth Hospital of Xi’an, including CHB (CHB without cirrhosis) (n = 323) and CHB-related cirrhosis (n = 137). The psychometrics includes reliability, validity and sensitivity. Internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach’s α. Convergent and discriminant validity was evaluated by item-scale correlation. Factorial validity was explored by principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Sensitivity was assessed using Cohen’s effect size (ES), and independent sample t test between CHB and CHB-related cirrhosis groups and between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normal and abnormal groups after stratifying the disease (CHB and CHB-related cirrhosis).

RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability of the CLDQ was 0.83 (range: 0.65-0.90). Most of the hypothesized item-scale correlations were 0.40 or over, and all of such hypothesized correlations were higher than the alternative ones, indicating satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Six factors were extracted after varimax rotation from the 29 items of CLDQ. The eligible Cohen’s ES with statistically significant independent sample t test was found in the overall CLDQ and abdominal, systematic, activity scales (CHB vs CHB-related cirrhosis), and in the overall CLDQ and abdominal scale in the stratification of patients with CHB (ALT normal vs abnormal).

CONCLUSION: The CLDQ has acceptable reliability, validity and sensitivity in Chinese (mainland) patients with CHB.

Quality of life in cirrhosis

Quality of life is a construct that reflects the positive and negative aspects of one's life, and is expanded upon by health-related quality of life (HRQL), which specifically address the impact of health on patients' well-being. Cirrhosis is the culmination of various pathways that leads into development of advanced hepatic fibrosis with its complications. This paper addresses the impact of cirrhosis on individuals HRQL. In addition, we will define what disease specific and general HRQL instruments aim to measure. We discuss the liver disease specific scales [Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), Liver Disease Quality of Life 1.0 (LDQOL)] and the most commonly used generic health profile [Short Form 36 Profile (SF-36)]. Furthermore, we examine recent literature which describes how to measure and what is known about quality of life of patients with cirrhosis. This information gives insight to health care providers concerning the impact of disease on patients if treatments are not only to improve health but also function and unexpected treatment outcomes.