SP3-86 Validation of a single question for quality of life assessment in Chilean older people

• Published in: Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979) 2011-08, Vol.65 (Suppl 1), p.A432-A432
• Main Authors: Lera, L, Albala, C, Sanchez, H, Fuentes, A, Barbara, A, Cea, X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Older people; Population studies; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0143-005X; 1470-2738
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976o.86

AimTo validate a single question of self-reported quality of life as a reliable instrument in population studies.MethodCross sectional validation of a single question about QoL against the quality of life SF-36 (Short-Form 36 Health Survey). The study was performed in a national representative sample of 4762 community-dwelling people 61–101 y (38.8% men) from a national study on dependency done in Chile in 2009–2010. All subjects completed household interviews (face to face), including the question “How is your quality of life?” (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor and Very Poor). To validate it we used the summary measures mental and physical health of the SF-36, estimated with Chilean-Specific scoring algorithms previously validated. The relation of summarised score to each category was studied using Kruskal–Wallis test and the non-parametric test for trend across ordered groups.ResultsThe mean score (using survey design) of the mental and physical components follow a gradient from Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor to Very Poor being the higher score excellent and the lower very poor. Mental component mean scores: 56.7, 54.4, 49.0, 39.1, 37.6; physical component mean scores: 54.1, 51.4, 46.5, 41.1, 38.1 (p