FLIC、SF-36和QOL-LC量表在肝癌患者生活质量测定中的应用比较

目的比较癌症患者生活功能指标量表(FLIC)、健康调查简表(SF-36)和肝癌患者生活质量测定量表(QOL-LC)在肝癌患者生活质量测定中的应用效果。方法以2010～2011年选定的调查医院肝癌住院患者105例为研究对象,采用FLIC、SF-36和QOL-LC量表分别进行3次纵向测定,计算和比较各量表的信度、效度和反应度。结果 QOL-LC的效度、信度比FLIC和SF-36量表好;在反应度方面,QOL-LC及FLIC量表均显示躯体功能与总生命质量的变化差异有统计学意义(QOL-LC:t=5.08;P=0.000;t=3.16;P=0.002;FLIC:t=4.02;P=0.000;t=2.21;P=0.030)。SF-36量表除一般健康状况和心理健康两个领域外,其余领域的治疗前后得分变化均有统计学意义(躯体功能t=5.94;P=0.000;躯体角色t=3.07;P=0.003;身体疼痛t=3.21;P=0.002;生命力t=3.22;P=0.002;社会角色t=2.60;P=0.012;情绪角色t=3.28;P=0.002)。结论 QOL-LC是测定肝癌患者生活质量的特异量表,在评估肝癌患者生活质量时是首选,而SF-36和FLIC量表能反映肝癌患者生命质量的共性部分,在缺少特异性量表的情况下,可用于测评肝癌患者的生活质量。     

中文版衰弱量表在老年衰弱评价中的信效度研究

目的评价中文版衰弱(FRAIL)量表在老年衰弱评价中的信效度。方法于2018年1月-2019年6月,将中文版FRAIL量表应用于210例老年患者并评估其信效度。使用Cronbach′sα系数表示显表的内部一致性信度。分析量表各条目与总分的相关性作为其结构效度。使用Spearman相关分析检验FRAIL量表与简明健康测量量表(SF-36)、工具性日常生活活动量表(IADL)及住院次数的相关性作为该量表的预测效度;使用ROC曲线计算量表的老年患者的衰弱状况的最佳临界值、灵敏度及特异性等值。结果回收问卷210例,中文版FRAIL量表Cronbach′sα系数为0.705;FRAIL量表总分与各分条目呈中度正相关,r=0.538～0.656,P0.001;FRAIL量表总分与SF-36量表及其分维度均呈负相关关系,r=-0.407～-0.721(P0.001),FRAIL分条目与SF-36的总分及其他分维度均呈负相关性,r=-0.149～-0.475(P0.05);MBI分组不同时,自理能力低下组的FRAIL要高于生活完全自理组,H=90.809(P0.001),中文版FRAIL量表可以区分不同程度自理能力老年患者衰弱状况。结论中文版衰弱(FRAIL)量表具有良好的信度和效度,可以作为老年衰弱的评估工具,初步筛选出有衰弱的老年高危人群。     

心肌梗死多维度评估量表的信效度研究

目的翻译“心肌梗死多维度评估量表”(Myocardial Infarction Di mensional Assessment Scale,MIDAS),评价其效度、信度及文化相关性,提供一种有效评估心肌梗死患者生活质量的中文版问卷。方法应用专家小组评定法进行问卷文化相关性、语言一致性及内容效度的评价。对88例心肌梗死患者应用问卷对其内部一致性、效标关联效度及结构效度进行评价,对其中30例心梗患者在2周内重新应用问卷收集资料,进行重测信度的评价。结果问卷中所有条目均具有较好的文化相关性,其中2个条目被重新修订。中文版“心肌梗死多维度评估量表”具有较好的表面和内容效度,内容效度指数(CVI)为0.94,其内部一致性及重测信度均可接受,问卷7个亚量表的Cronbach'sα为0.73~0.91,重测信度系数为0.74~0.94,总体Cronbach'sα为0.93,重测信度系数为0.85。中文版MIDAS中的各亚量表与中文版“36条目简明量表”(Short Form36,SF-36)中的相关亚量表具有显著相关性(P<0.05)。因子分析结果提示中文版MIDAS具有与原英文量表一致的结构效度。结论中文版“心肌梗死多维度评估量表”是一种具有较高效度和信度的疾病专用量表,可为医护人员量化评估心肌梗死患者生活质量提供可靠的依据。     

SF-36在慢性心力衰竭患者中的信度和效度评价

目的探讨中文版36条简明健康问卷(SF-36)在慢性心力衰竭患者的健康相关生存质量(HRQOL)评价中的信度、效度和反应度。方法采用中文版SF-36量表及明尼苏达州心衰生活质量问卷同时对128例慢性心衰患者的HRQOL进行评价,并对部分患者进行随诊观察。结果SF-36具有较好的内部一致性(8个维度的Cronbach'sα均>0.70)和重复性。因子分析产生的两个因子与量表的原理论结构假设基本一致。4—8周内共有78例完成随访,对40例病情好转的随访患者进行再次评价时,应用SF-36可从总体上及心理健康内容方面辨别出患者HRQOL的变化。结论中文版SF-36用于慢性心力衰竭患者生存质量评价时具有较好的信度、效度和反应度。     

中文版SF-36用于评价亚急性脑卒中患者生存质量的信度和效度

目的:检测中文版健康调查简表SF-36(the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form,SF-36)用于中国亚急性期脑卒中后遗症人群的生存质量评估的信度和效度情况。方法:选取福建中医药大学附属康复医院、复旦大学附属华山医院、暨南大学附属第一医院、广东省中医院和新疆维吾尔自治区中医院五家合作单位,共377例(女性35.73%,平均年龄60.95±10岁)脑卒中后遗症患者,在完成第一次评估后的6—7天,随机选取75例患者进行SF-36重测。量表的信度分析采用内部一致性和重测信度,效度分析采用内容效度和结构效度检验。结果:(1)中文版SF-36量表内部一致性Cronbachα系数为0.801(0.761—0.807);量表重测信度ICC为0.731(0.672—0.884)(2)对量表的8项内容的得分进行探索性因子分析,共抽取了3个公因子,总体方差解释力为67.3%。结论:中文版SF-36量表在评估我国亚急性期脑卒中患者具有良好的信度和效度,是一个可靠、有效的适用于临床脑卒中患者生存质量的测量工具。     

《肩关节疼痛与功能障碍指数中文版》在肩痛患者中的信度与效度分析

目的:翻译及回译肩关节疼痛与功能障碍指数(SPADI)量表,进行汉化处理,验证中文版SPADI在肩痛患者中的信度与效度,为临床应用提供客观依据.方法:对63例肩痛患者进行SPADI、VAS、SF-36的评价,并完成42例患者第2次SPADI问卷调查,进行相关分析.结果:SPADI得分与VAS显著相关(r=0.81-0.92,P＜0.01),与SF-36显著相关(r=0.65-0.72,P＜0.05).结论:中文版SPADI在肩痛患者中有良好的效度,可用于肩痛患者的评价.     

脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0代理人版中文版的编译及其性能测试

目的:编译脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0代理人版本,考察中文版的信度、效度和反应度,探讨代理人代替患者测试生活质量的可行性。方法:①选择2003-06正在中山大学附属第一医院神经内科住院患者及其代理人10对,回访2002-06/09入院并住院患者及其代理人共231对,患者符合世界卫生组织脑卒中诊断标准,并经CT或MRI确诊;代理人认识患者至少1年。分别用于脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0代理人版本中文版初试和正式测试。②应用59个条目(分属力气、记忆和思维、情绪、交流、日常活动能力、行动能力、手功能和社会参与8个方面)构成的脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0代理人版中文版进行调查,另外,使用公认量表:健康状况调查问卷的中文版、Barthel指数、简明精神状态检查量表、汉密顿抑郁量表考察各个领域的标准效度;使用牛津残障评分作为分组(分4组:0～1,2,3,4～5分,分值越高,残疾程度越重)依据来考察脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0代理人版本中文版的反应度。③使用量表完成率和完成时间考查初试量表的可行性;使用分半信度、克朗巴赫系数(α)考察信度;通过专家评审和测定维度相关系数考察内容效度,测定量表各个领域与公认量表(金标准)的相应领域的相关系数来考察标准效度、使用因子分析考察结构效度。通过比较不同残疾程度的患者的评分考察反应度。④分领域比较患者同代理人得分的差异,用配对t检验和测定组间相关系数评价代理人代替患者进行生活质量测定的可行性。结果:①可行性:量表完成率为91.2%;时间15～20min,表明可行性好。经专家讨论后,对部分条目进行了文化调试。②信度:分半信度和α系数均大于0.8。③效度:量表各条目与所属领域总分的相关系数>0.6,因子分析结果表明结构效度好;各领域与已知公认量表的相应领域高度相关(r=0.515～0.872,P<0.01)。④反应度:牛津残障评分分组下的单因素方差分析显示各组间得分不全相等(F=8.983～130.284,P<0.01)。⑤患者与代理人测试结果:患者和代理人脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0得分比较,差异不明显(相关系数=0.757～0.964,P>0.05)。结论:脑卒中生活质量影响量表3.0代理人版中文版的信度、效度和反应度是满意的,用代理人代替患者进行生存质量研究是可行的。     

中文版患者便秘状况评估量表在应用评价中的信效度研究

目的 评价中文版患者便秘状况评估量表(PAC-QOL)在慢性便秘患者生活质量评价中的信度、效度和反应度.方法 采用中文版PAC-QOL量表和汉化版简明健康调查问卷(SF-36),对门诊152例慢性便秘患者进行问卷调查,其中28例慢性便秘患者两周后重测,同时纳入接受生物反馈治疗的34例慢性便秘患者,采用治疗前后自身对照进行反应度评价.结果 ①可行性:量表的回收率为100%,有效率为98.03%,患者容易理解,平均完成时间为10.7min.②信度:PAC-QOL量表Cronbach's α系数为0.69-0.93;重测信度组内相关系数(ICC)为0.68-0.89.③效度:该量表适合患者理解和填写,代表性好,专家评定内容效度指数(CVI)为0.84;与SF-36总分相关性好(r=0.560),与各维度相关系数为0.271-0.604;验证性因子分析提取4个公因子,4个公因子对方差的累积贡献率迭57.30%,各条目在相应公因子上的因子负荷在0.4以上;该量表能区分量度组与非重度组患者生活质量.④反应度:生物反馈治疗后,PAC-QOL量表各堆度得分及总分均较治疗前下降.结论 中文版PAC-QOL量表具有较好的可行性、信度、效度和反应度,可以应用于慢性便秘患者生活质量的评价.     

中文版斜视儿童生存质量量表的信度和效度研究

目的 研究中文版斜视儿童生存质量量表(Child Intermittent Exotropia Questionnaire,Child-IXTQ)的信度和效度.方法 采用Brislin翻译模型对Child-IXTQ进行汉化,经专家组及预试验调适条目形成Child-IXTQ最终版,然后选取108例斜视患儿进行调查.采用项目分析、内容效度、结构效度、效标关联效度、反应度、内部一致性系数、重测信度对量表的信效度进行分析.结果 项目分析结果显示,各条目得分与量表总分均相关(r=0.377～0.763,P＜0.01);量表总的内容效度指数(CVI)为0.93;两个维度得分与总分的相关系数为0.709～0.937,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.01);探索性因子分析提取2个公因子,共解释了60.034％的总方差:效标关联效度系数r为0.517(P＜0.0);手术前后斜视患儿的生存质量评分差异有统计学意义,从而显示出较好的反应度.量表总的Cronbach's α系数为0.848,各条目重测信度为0.728～0.913.结论 中文版Child-IXTQ具有良好的信度和效度,适合中国斜视患儿生存质量的测评.     

SF-36量表应用于老年轻度认知功能障碍病人的信效度研究

[目的]评价简明健康状况调查量表(SF-36)应用于老年轻度认知功能障碍(MCI)病人中的信度与效度。[方法]应用SF-36量表,由同一调查员对方便抽样的74例MCI病人进行面对面访谈以调查其健康相关生活质量,采用SPSS软件对测量结果进行信度与效度分析。[结果]SF-36量表8个维度的重测相关系数除RP、BP和VT外均大于0.5(P0.01),总量表SpearmanBrown分半信度系数为0.910,内部一致性Cronbach’sα系数除SF和VT为0.6~0.7外,其余各维度及两个总评均大于0.7,整个量表的Cronbach’sα系数为0.890;各维度与总量表的相关系数为0.448~0.813(P0.01),除PF、RP和RE外其他各维度间相关系数为0.500~0.828(P0.01);因子分析所产生的3个公因子可解释总变异的78.30%,并在相应项目上有较强的因子载荷。[结论]SF-36量表应用于老年MCI病人有较好的信度和效度,适用于评价老年MCI病人的生活质量。     

中文版器官移植患者症状发生和症状困扰量表的信度及效度检验

目的：翻译英文版器官移植患者症状发生和症状困扰量表（MTSOSD）并检验其信度及效度。方法：在征得原作者同意后,取得英文版MTSOSD,通过翻译和本土化形成中文版MTSOSD。采用中文版MTSOSD、健康相关生活质量问卷（SF-36）及医院焦虑抑郁量表中的抑郁分量表对106例肾移植患者进行测评,根据是否抑郁患者的症状评分判断工具的区分效度,根据症状与生活质量之间的相关性判断工具的校标关联效度;在1周后对12例患者进行二次测评,根据两次测评的相关性判断工具的重测信度。结果：抑郁组患者的症状发生总分及症状困扰总分均高于非抑郁组患者,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;106例患者的症状发生总分、症状困扰总分与除外“生理功能”的SF-36各维度得分均呈显著负相关,相关系数为-0.391～-0.510（P〈0.01）;中文版MTSOSD的Cronbach’sα系数为0.897（按照症状发生情况）和0.919（按照症状困扰情况）,重测信度系数为0.825（按照症状发生情况）和0.817（按照症状困扰情况）。结论：中文版MTSOSD具有较好的信度和效度,适用于在临床中测评器官移植患者免疫抑制治疗的相关症状。     

中文版构音障碍影响程度量表对帕金森病患者的信度和效度

目的 探讨中文版构音障碍影响程度量表(DIP)评定帕金森病患者构音障碍社会心理学影响的信度和效度。方法 2021年5月至2022年3月选择中山大学附属第一医院康复医学科帕金森病患者43例,并招募年龄匹配的健康对照43例。将DIP量表进行翻译和调适,并对两组进行评估。计算内部一致性和评分者内信度,每一条目与其所在分量表的相关性,DIP与嗓音障碍指数(VHI)、健康调查简表(SF-36)评分的相关性;比较帕金森病患者和对照组DIP评分。结果 中文版DIP Cronbach α系数为0.732~0.942;在量表第四部分评分者内信度最高(r = 0.670, P < 0.001)。前四部分相关系数总体为0.315~0.871 (除第三部分第1、6、11题和第四部分第11题外),均有相关性(P < 0.05)。DIP总分与VHI总分呈高度负相关(r = -0.821, P < 0.01),与SF-36总分中度正相关(r = 0.684, P < 0.01);两组DIP第一至四部分和总分均有非常显著性差异(P < 0.01)。结论 中文版DIP在帕金森病患者检验中具有良好的信度和效度,可用于评估我国帕金森病患者构音障碍的社会心理学影响。     

Measuring the symptom experience of Chinese cancer patients: a validation of the Chinese version of the memorial symptom assessment scale

The purpose of this study was to translate the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) into Chinese and evaluate the psychometric properties of this version. The original MSAS is a 32-item, patient-rated measure that was developed to assess common cancer-related physical and psychological symptoms with respect to frequency, intensity, and distress. In this study, a two-phase design was used. Phase I involved iterative forward-backward translation, testing of content validity (CVI) and a pretest. Phase II established the psychometric properties of the Chinese version MSAS (MSAS-Ch). Results showed that the MSAS-Ch achieved content relevancy CVI of 0.94 and semantic equivalence CVI of 0.94. Pretesting was performed in 10 cancer patients, and the results revealed adequate content coverage and comprehensibility of the MSAS-Ch. A convenience sample of 370 patients undergoing cancer therapy or at the early post-treatment stage was recruited for psychometric evaluation. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the MSAS-Ch, with a good fit between the factor structure of the original version and our present sample data (goodness-of-fit indices all above 0.95). The internal consistency reliability of subscales and total MSAS-Ch was moderately high, with Cronbach alpha coefficients ranging from 0.79 to 0.87. The test-retest intraclass correlation results for the subscale and total MSAS-Ch ranged from 0.68 to 0.79. The subscale scores of MSAS-Ch were moderately correlated with the scores on various validation measurements that assessed psychological distress, pain, and health-related quality of life (r = 0.46-0.65, P < 0.01), confirming that they were measurements of similar constructs. The validity of the construct validity was also supported by comparing the MSAS-Ch scores for subpopulations that varied clinically. Inpatients and patients with poorer performance status scored higher on the MSAS-Ch subscale and total scores than outpatients and patients with higher performance status (P < 0.05). Our study shows that the MSAS-Ch has adequate psychometric properties of validity and reliability, and can be used to assess symptoms during cancer therapy and at the early post-treatment stage in Chinese-speaking patients.     

Validation of the Chinese version of the Life-Space Assessment in community-dwelling older adults

The Life-Space Assessment (LSA) is a comprehensive tool for assessing mobility in older adults, but the evidence of its psychometric properties in Chinese older adults is lacking. The aim was to adapt and validate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Life-Space Assessment (LSA-C) in community-dwelling older adults. A cross-sectional study was designed with 225 community-dwelling older adults. The content validity of the LSA-C was satisfactory. The criterion validity was supported by significant correlation between the LSA-C and the Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (MFAQ). Additionally, the LSA-C was negatively correlated with the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) and positively correlated with the General Health subscale of the Short-Form-36 Health Survey (GH of the SF-36), implying good construct validity. Finally, the LSA-C showed excellent stability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88). The LSA-C demonstrates adequate psychometric properties, supporting its use in future research in the Chinese context.     

Psychometric validation of the Chinese version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised for patients with hypertension

Title. Psychometric validation of the Chinese version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised for patients with hypertension. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised using the technique of confirmatory factor analysis. Background. The Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised is the most commonly used instrument for assessing patients’ views of illness, and there is good evidence for the psychometric properties of the English version. However, there is inconsistency in the literature about how scores of the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised should be used. Method. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in three teaching hospitals in central Taiwan. The Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised was administered to a purposive sample of 358 patients with hypertension in 2005–2006. Results. Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence of satisfactory factorial validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity of the Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised. Internal consistency was supported by adequate Cronbach’s alphas (ranging 0·67–0·87) and composite reliability (0·57–0·88). The factor structures of the identity and cause subscales were found to be an acceptable fit to the data. The findings of model evaluations supported the seven‐factor structure, after removal of six poorly fitting items. Second‐order analysis indicated two factors (control and negative illness representation) representing latent constructs underlying the factors of personal control, treatment control, consequence, timeline‐cyclic and emotional representation. Conclusion. The Chinese Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised is a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of illness perceptions in patients with hypertension.     

中文版炎症性肠病问卷的信度和效度研究

目的评价中文版炎症性肠病问卷(1BDQ)的信度和效度。方法采用IBDQ和健康状况调查问卷(SF-36)对71例炎症性肠病患者进行问卷调查,分析量表的内部一致性、分半信度、标准关联效度和结构效度等指标。结果IBDQ各维度的Cronbach’sα系数为0.7430~O.8763,分半信度为0.9029,IBDQ的各维度与SF-36中除生理机能外的各维度均呈显著正相关。结构效度中,经因子分析,各主因子中各条目与其主成分大致相符。结论中文版的IBDQ具有良好的信度和效度,适用于评价我国IBD患者的生存质量。     

Translation,cross-cultural adaptation,and psychometric properties of the Urdu version of Rand Short Form 36-item survey (SF-36) among patients with lumbar radiculopathy

Background and aimsAlthough Rand Short Form 36-item (SF-36) questionnaire is a frequently used tool for evaluating a patient's quality of life in both clinical and research settings, but its translation into Urdu language and its psychometric properties has not been tested before, in accordance to the pre-established guidelines. This study aimed to translate and assess the psychometric properties of Urdu version of SF-36 (SF-36-U) in lumbar radiculopathy patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, one hundred and eight patients of lumbar radiculopathy filled SF-36-U questionnaire, Urdu version of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI-U) and visual analogue scales for pain (VAS pain) at baseline and after 7 days. Two types of reliability i.e. internal consistency and test-retest reliability while three types of validity i.e. face, content, and construct validity were evaluated. Psychometric properties were assessed contrary to the a priori hypothesis and alpha level was kept at < 0.05.ResultsSF-36-U presented good to excellent test-retest reliability for all eight domains (ICC_2,1 = 0.75–0.92). Internal consistency was also acceptable for all domains (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73–0.90). Face and content validity were found to be good. Pearson correlation revealed moderate to strong correlations of SF-36-U domains with ODI-U (r = 0.43–0.54), VAS pain (r = 0.32–0.49) and each of its own question (r = 0.37–0.88) which shows good construct validity.ConclusionSF-36-U revealed acceptable psychometric properties and is considered as a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing the health-related quality of life in Urdu-speaking patients having lumbar radiculopathy.     

中文版库欣综合征患者生活质量问卷的信效度研究

目的评价中文版库欣综合征患者生活质量问卷(Cushing-Qol)的信度和效度。方法采用中文版库欣综合征患者生活质量问卷(Cushing-Qol)和简明健康调查问卷(SF-36)对79名库欣综合征患者进行问卷调查,应用SPSS 19.0软件对问卷的调查结果统计分析,检验问卷的内部一致性和重测信度以及内容效度、结构效度、效标关联效度。结果中文版Cushing-Qol问卷的内部一致性信度Cronbach’sα系数值为0.890,重测信度(2周后)为0.881,各条目的重测信度均大于0.7,折半信度为0.866;该问卷的内容效度指数CVI为0.95,探索性因子分析结果显示问卷为单维度,中文版Cushing-Qol问卷与SF-36量表的相关系数为0.732,表明两者呈强相关。结论中文版Cushing-Qol问卷具有较好的信度和效度,可作为库欣综合征患者生活质量评估的可靠工具应用于临床实践和相关研究中。     

钾通道开放剂烟酰胺对肺动脉高压血浆内皮素1影响的临床观察

目的 探讨钾通道开放剂烟酰胺对肺动脉高压患者血浆内皮素的影响.方法 入选66例缺氧性肺动脉高压患者,随机分为烟酰胺治疗组(治疗组)和常规治疗组(对照组),每组33例,测定2组肺动脉高压患者治疗前后血浆内皮素1变化.结果 治疗组治疗后较治疗前血浆内皮素1明显降低(P＜0.01).对照组治疗前后自身比较,血浆内皮素1无明显变化(P＞0.05);治疗组与对照组治疗前后的差值比较有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 烟酰胺可保护内皮细胞,减少内皮素1的分泌和释放,对缺氧性肺动脉高压有治疗作用.     

American translation, modification, and validation of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire

BACKGROUND: The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is a 50-item health status survey specific for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory diseases that is available in British English but not American English. The SGRQ's symptom-reporting component requires a 1-year reporting period, which may be too long for reliable and accurate patient recall. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to translate the SGRQ from British to American English, modify the reporting period of the symptom-reporting component from 1 year to 1 month, and assess the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of this translated modified version in a sample of patients with COPD. METHODS: Based on input from American patients with COPD and health professionals, the SGRQ was translated into American English (SGRQ-A) and then translated back to British English. For SGRQ-A reliability and validity studies, patients were asked to report symptoms experienced over 1 year (reporting period in the original SGRQ) and 1 month (modification made to SGRQ-A). We evaluated 102 patients with COPD (50% female; mean age, 68 years; mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], 1.01 L) at an administrative session before and after completion of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The SGRQ-A, Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), 6-minute walk (6MW), Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnea scale, and pulmonary function tests (FEV1 and % predicted FEV1) were used in the assessment battery. RESULTS: The SGRQ-A showed good agreement with the original SGRQ when translated back to British English. Internal reliability (Cronbach alpha) was > 0.70 for all SGRQ-A components except the 1-year symptom-reporting component. Test-retest intraclass correlations were 0.795 to 0.900. Construct validity was strengthened when all SGRQ-A components (except 1-year symptoms and most 1-month symptoms) correlated (P < or = 0.01) with the MRC Dyspnea scale, 6MW, all SF-36 concept scores, and 80% of CRQ domains (r = 0.30-0.72). Discriminate validity was demonstrated when all components of the SGRQ-A with the modified 1-month symptom-reporting period were shown to discriminate better between disease-severity groups (based on patient self-reports of disease severity) than did pulmonary function tests and the 6MW. Responsiveness of the SGRQ-A to change in health status was demonstrated when scores on the Symptoms-1 month and Total-1 month components detected significant improvements in patients' health status (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: The SGRQ-A with a modified 1-month symptom-reporting period demonstrated reliability and validity in this sample of patients with COPD. Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, American translation, reliability, validity, symptom recall.