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Health-related quality of life in young adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Iran: reliability and validity of the Persian translation of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales Young Adult Version

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Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Persian translation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scales Young Adult Version in an Iranian sample of young adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One hundred ninety-seven young adult patients with RA completed the 23-item PedsQL™ and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Disease activity based on Disease Activity Score 28 was also measured. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability, as well as construct, discriminant, and convergent validity, were tested. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify the original factor structure of the PedsQL™. Also, responsiveness to change in PedsQL™ scores over time was assessed. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from α = 0.82 to α = 0.91. Test–retest reproducibility was satisfactory for all scales and the total scale score. The PedsQL proved good convergent validity with the SF-36. The PedsQL distinguished well between young adult patients and healthy young adults and also RA groups with different comorbidities. The CFA did not confirm the original four-factor model, instead, analyses revealed a best-fitting five-factor model for the PedsQL™ Young Adult Version. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the PedsQL scale scores for young adults increased significantly over time. The Persian translation of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales Young Adult Version demonstrated good psychometric properties in young adult patients with RA and can be recommended for the use in RA research in Iran.

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Correspondence to Amir H. Pakpour.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales Young Adult Version Items

Physical Functioning Scale

  1. 1.

    It is hard for me to walk more than one block

  2. 2.

    It is hard for me to run

  3. 3.

    It is hard for me to do sports activity or exercise

  4. 4.

    It is hard for me to lift something heavy

  5. 5.

    It is hard for me to take a bath or shower by myself

  6. 6.

    It is hard for me to do chores around the house

  7. 7.

    I hurt or ache

  8. 8.

    I have low energy

Emotional Functioning Scale

  1. 1.

    I feel afraid or scared

  2. 2.

    I feel sad or blue

  3. 3.

    I feel angry

  4. 4.

    I have trouble sleeping

  5. 5.

    I worry about what will happen to me

Social Functioning Scale

  1. 1.

    I have trouble getting along with other young adults

  2. 2.

    Other young adults do not want to be my friend

  3. 3.

    Other young adults tease me

  4. 4.

    I cannot do things that others at my age can do

  5. 5.

    It is hard to keep up with my peers

Work/School Functioning Scale

  1. 1.

    It is hard to pay attention at work or school

  2. 2.

    I forget things

  3. 3.

    I have trouble keeping up with my work or studies

  4. 4.

    I miss work or school because of not feeling well

  5. 5.

    I miss work or school to go to the doctor or Hospital

Reproduced with permission from J.W. Varni, Ph.D. Copyright © 1998.

The PedsQL™ is available at http://www.pedsql.org.

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Pakpour, A.H., Zeidi, I.M., Hashemi, F. et al. Health-related quality of life in young adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Iran: reliability and validity of the Persian translation of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales Young Adult Version. Clin Rheumatol 32, 15–22 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-012-2084-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-012-2084-3

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