HepaDisk – A new quality of life questionnaire for HCV patients
- Authors: Fagiuoli S, Caporaso N, Morisco F, Buelli F, Gualberti G, Saragaglia V, Chessa L, Corti G, Maida I, Mastroianni CM, Pirisi M, Russo FP, Farina F, Giannitrapani L, Toniutto P, Tarquini P, Tundo P, Vecchiet J, Vinci M, Taliani G
- Publication year: 2018
- Type: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/359371
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since most patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection now receive treatment irrespective of liver disease severity, special attention to patient quality of life (QoL), including psycho-social aspects, is required. No QoL questionnaire is specific for patients with HCV. AIMS: To develop and validate a short Italian questionnaire (HepaDisk) assessing the QoL of patients affected by HCV with intuitive graphic results that is understandable by patients and physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire, drafted by a steering committee, underwent a Delphi survey. A multicenter, observational study was conducted to validate the developed HepaDisk versus other tools (CLDQ-I, SF-36, WPAI:HCV), and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity in Italian patients with HCV. RESULTS: The 10-item questionnaire was validated in 214 patients. HepaDisk showed a high correlation with CLDQ overall score and WPAI:HCV activity impairment (Spearman's rank correlation: 0.651 and 0.595, respectively) and a lower correlation with SF-36. Strong internal consistency (Cronbach coefficient: 0.912), good test-retest reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.789; 95% CI, 0.714-0.865), and responsiveness to changes among improved patients were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: HepaDisk is a reliable and user-friendly tool that can monitor disease impact on patient QoL over time, providing a visual representation easily understandable by both patients and physicians.