The Use of the QUALID Scale for Evaluating the Quality of Life in Patients with Late‑stage Dementia in the Czech Republic

Czech version

Authors: R. Bužgová ¹; M. Stolička ^1,2
Authors‘ workplace: Ústav ošetřovatelství a porodní asistence, LF OU v Ostravě ¹; Léčebna pro dlouhodobě nemocné Klokočov, FN Ostrava ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2015; 78/111(3): 317-322
Category: Original Paper

Overview

Aim:
The aim of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the Czech version of the QUALID scale for evaluating the QoL in patients with severe dementia, to assess suitability of its use in the Czech Republic and to establish whether there is a change in the QoL during hospitalization.

Sample and methods:
The sample consisted of 184 patients with severe dementia who were hospitalized at the University Hospital Ostrava. The QUALID was translated into Czech using standard methodology. To evaluate psychometric properties of the questionnaire, reliability, namely internal consistency (Cronbach´s alpha) and inter-rater reliability (Cohen´s kappa, ICC), was assessed. Construct validity was verified using the Spearman correlation coefficient for the total QUALID score and its domains and for SM-EOLD items.

Results:
Good internal consistency of the QUALID (α = 0.820) was proved using Cronbach´s alpha. Inter-rater reliability was found to be high (ICC = 0.8317; p < 0.01). Assumed mean dependency between QUALID and SM-EOLD (r > 0.3) was found for the discomfort domain and for the QUALID total score. Multivariate regression analysis found a correlation between lower QoL and pain, skin disorder, anxiety, fear and concern. During hospitalization, QoL was significantly improved in patients with severe dementia (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:
the Czech version of the QUALID was found to have good reliability as well as satisfactory construct validity. The scale is suitable for the use in the Czech Republic. A correlation was found between burdensome symptoms and lower QoL.

Key words:
dementia – quality of life – reliability – validity

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.

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