WHO quality of life-BREF 26 questionnaire: reliability and validity of the Persian version and compare it with Iranian diabetics quality of life questionnaire in diabetic patients

There are several tools for the assessment of quality of life (QOL) in diabetes mellitus. In the current research, two standard questionnaires for evaluating of QOL were selected. First one was a questionnaire from the World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF 26) and the second one, The Iranian diabetics quality of life (IRDQOL). The first aim of this study was to reliability and validity of the Persian Version of WHOQOL-BREF 26. The second aims compare it with IRDQOL questionnaire in diabetic patients. A random sample of Iranian adult outpatient diabetics (n=387) was selected and they completed the WHOQOL and IRDQOL assessment instruments. In addition HbA1c was measured in these patients by calorimetric method. Data analysis was carried out by the use of T-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Pearson's correlation coefficient. Data analysis based on Pearson correlations in the two questionnaires showed all subscales and total QOL have highly acceptable test-retest reliability. Comparison of total QOL and similar domains in the two questionnaires showed physical domain score in IRDQOL was lower than in WHOQOL and it was significant (P<.0001). Total QOL is more highly correlated with social domain and environmental domain in IRDQOL and WHOQOL, respectively. In IRDQOL, spiritual domain is not correlated with physical domain. Calculated parameters of reliability in the questionnaires indicated that stability present promising results in total QOL. In this study, WHOQOL domains have a logical relationship between glycemic control and QOL, but this logical relationship cannot be found in IRDQOL questionnaire. In IRDQOL spiritual domain is a very unreliable domain. We recommend more questions to be added spiritual domain in IRDQOL questionnaire and also distribution of items to be some how equal in four domains. By these, it may help to find some rational relations between afore-mentioned domains and glycemic control.