An Instrument for measuring
quality of life in patients with cutaneous diseases
Abstract : A group from the Autónoma University of Madrid has done
a study of the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of Skindex-29.
This instrument measures quality of life of patients with cutaneous
disease. The method has validity, reliability and sensitivity for measuring
the effects of cutaneous conditions on quality of life of Spanish patients.
They look for financial resources and technical
cooperation with groups and pharmaceutical Laboratories working on subcutaneous
diseases as hydatid.
Quality of life studies aim to measure objectively how patient life
is affected by a disease. Generation of a novel instrument is more expensive
and time-consuming than adapting a test already existing in another
language. Skindex-29 is a widely validated American instrument to measure
quality of life in patients with cutaneous disease. The group from the
Autónoma University of Madrid has developed the present instrument,
a study of the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of Skindex-29.
The test is administered to adults in an outpatient dermatological clinic.
Age, sex and disease are registered for each patient. Three groups have
been already studied: healthy people, patients with inflammatory skin
disease and patients with isolated or tumoural lesions. Construct validity,
internal consistency, reproducibility at 72 hours, responsiveness and
feasibility are evaluated. Validity construction is demonstrated, with
significant differences between healthy people and patients as well
as between both groups of patients. Reliability is also demonstrated,
with Cronbach's coefficient alpha values above 0.84 and intraclass correlation
values of 0.7. The test shows responsiveness to clinical change. The
percentage of non-response is low, and floor and ceiling effects are
adequate.
Main Advantages:
Construct validity, internal consistency, reproducibility at 72 hours,
responsiveness and feasibility are evaluated. Validity construction
is demonstrated. Reliability is also demonstrated, with Cronbach's coefficient
alpha values above 0.84 and intraclass correlation values of 0.7.Innovative
Aspects : The method constitutes an instrument with validity, reliability,
and sensitivity to measure the effects of cutaneous conditions on quality
of life in Spanish patients.
Subject Descriptors : Medicine, Nursing
Subject Index Codes : Medicine, Health
Subject Class : Biology, medicine, IT, telecommunications
Market Applications : Health monitoring, care
Stage of Development : Experimental development stage (laboratory prototype)
Remarks : IRC Data: OO/UAM/43
Property Rights : Secret know-how
Collaboration Sought : Information exchange/Training, Financial support,
Other
Collaboration Detail : The group is looking for technical cooperation
and financial resources.
Contact Details
Contact Name : OLIVARES, Jimena
Contact Organisation : D.G. de Investigacion de la Consejeria de
Educacion y Cultura de la CAM
Address : Centro de Enlace de Madrid
C/Alcalá 30-32 planta baja
City : Madrid
Region : COMUNIDAD DE MADRID
Postcode : 28014
Country : SPAIN
Telephone Number : +34-91-7200352
Fax Number : +34-91-7200355
Electronic Mailbox :
mar.irc@madrimasd.org
