Validation of the Chinese version of the diabetes impact measurement scales amongst people suffering from diabetes

Objective The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Chinese translation of the Diabetes Impact Measurement Scale (DIMS). Methods A total of 219 consecutive patients with type II diabetes mellitus, who had visited the diabetic clinics at the China Medical University Hospital completed a questionnaire. Clinical data were extracted from the participants’ medical records. Multiple regression analyses were used to estimate the differences in scores among type II diabetic patients in groups with different complications, glucose control statuses, and number of co-morbidities. Results The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for estimates of internal consistency testing ranged from 0.61 to 0.86. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.55 to 0.92. Patients with complications had lower symptom scale score compared with those without complications (p < 0.05); patients with poor glucose control had lower well-being, social role fulfillment, and total scale scores than those with good glucose control (all p < 0.05); patients with more co-morbidities had lower scores on all scales compared with those with fewer co-morbidities, except on the social role fulfillment scale (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). These significant differences consistently supported the hypothesis that the scale truly measures health status and disease impact. Conclusions Our preliminary results confirm the validity of the DIMS instrument as a measure of health-related quality of life in adult type II diabetic patients. Future research will be needed to establish its responsiveness to important changes in health. This project was supported by a 2-year grant from the National Science Council, Taiwan, Republic of China.