Cross-cultural evaluation of the French version of the LEIPAD, a health-related quality of life instrument for use in the elderly living at home

To cross-culturally adapt a French version of the LEIPAD, a self-administered questionnaire assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults aged 65 years and over living at home, and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

After having translated LEIPAD in accordance with guidelines, we studied psychometric properties: reliability and construct validity—factor analysis, relationships between items and scales, internal consistency, concurrent validity with the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36 and known-groups validity.

The results obtained in a sample of 195 elderly from the general population showed very good acceptability, with response rates superior to 93 %. Exploratory factor analysis extracted eight factors providing a multidimensionality structure with five misclassifications of items in the seven theoretical scales. Good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.73 and 0.86) and strong test–retest reliability (ICCs higher than 0.80 for six scales and 0.70 for one) were demonstrated. Concurrent validity with the SF-36 showed small to strong expected correlations.

This first evaluation of the French version of LEIPAD’s psychometric properties provides evidence in construct validity and reliability. It would allow HRQoL assessment in clinical and common practice, and investigators would be able to take part in national and international research projects.