Assessing the Quality of Life in Adults with Arthritis
Author Information
Author(s): Thelma Mielenz, Elizabeth Jackson, Shannon Currey, Robert DeVellis, Leigh F. Callahan
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CDC HRQOL items in adults with arthritis compared to the SF-36v2.
Conclusion
The CDC HRQOL demonstrates strong psychometric properties for measuring health-related quality of life in individuals with arthritis.
Supporting Evidence
- The CDC HRQOL items loaded primarily onto one factor, explaining 57% of the item variance.
- The physical health factor correlated with the PCS (r = -.78, p < 0.0001).
- The mental health factor correlated with the MCS (r = -.71, p < 0.0001).
- The CDC HRQOL contributed 73% to predicting PCS when including general health.
- The CDC HRQOL contributed 56% to predicting MCS regardless of including general health.
Takeaway
This study shows that a set of questions from the CDC can effectively measure how arthritis affects people's quality of life.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study using survey data from two populations of adults with arthritis, analyzing the CDC HRQOL and SF-36v2 measures.
Potential Biases
Non-respondents were significantly younger, less educated, and more likely to be black or of other races compared to respondents.
Limitations
The response rates were only fair and may not be representative of all people with arthritis.
Participant Demographics
The overall sample had a mean age of 56.9 years, with 76% female and 78% white participants.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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