Creation and Validation of the European Portuguese Version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematous Quality of Life Questionnaire

Pedro Lopes Ferreira; Rita Novais Cunha; Carla Macieira; Tomás Fontes; Luís Sousa Inês; Ana Maduro; Ana Martins; Frederico Rajão; Carolina Furtado; Anabela Barcelos

doi:10.3390/ijerph20020897

Creation and Validation of the European Portuguese Version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematous Quality of Life Questionnaire

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 4;20(2):897. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20020897.

Authors

Pedro Lopes Ferreira^{1

2}, Rita Novais Cunha³, Carla Macieira^{4

5}, Tomás Fontes^{4

5}, Luís Sousa Inês^{6

7}, Ana Maduro⁶, Ana Martins^{8

9}, Frederico Rajão¹⁰, Carolina Furtado¹¹, Anabela Barcelos^{12

13

14}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Health Studies and Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal.
² Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal.
³ Rheumatology Unit, Tâmega e Sousa Hospital Centre, 4564-007 Penafiel, Portugal.
⁴ Rheumatology Department, Santa Maria Hospital, Northern Lisbon Hospital Centre, 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal.
⁵ Research Unit in Rheumatology, iMM Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.
⁶ Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal.
⁷ Faculty of Health Sciences, Beira Interior University, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal.
⁸ Rheumatology Department, São João Hospital University Centre, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
⁹ Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
¹⁰ Rheumatology Department, Algarve Hospital and University Centre, 8000-386 Faro, Portugal.
¹¹ Rheumatology Department, Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
¹² Rheumatology Department, Baixo Vouga Hospital Centre, 3810-501 Aveiro, Portugal.
¹³ Egas Moniz Health Alliance, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
¹⁴ Comprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, 1150-082 Lisboa, Portugal.

Abstract

(1) Background: Patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) experience profound effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) that cannot be explained by objective indicators of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to adapt the SLE Quality of Life (SLEQoL) questionnaire to the European Portuguese population and to assess its reliability and validity for patients with SLE. (2) Methods: Two independent translators translated the original version of the SLEQoL questionnaire into Portuguese. A back-translated version was produced. The Portuguese version of the questionnaire was reviewed and tested for validity and reliability. Cronbach's alpha and the internal validity index were calculated to verify the internal reliability and validity of the content. Rheumatologists filled out the SLE Disease Activity Score (SLE-DAS) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index SLICC/ACR-DI questionnaires. (3) Results: This study involved 180 patients, of which 93.8% were females. The results indicated very high internal consistency reliability (α = 0.949), low correlations between the SLEQoL and the SLE-DAS, a correlation between all SLEQoL dimensions and all SF-36 dimensions (except for "response to treatment" and "self-image"), and good correlation scores with both the EQ-5D-5L index and VAS. (4) Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the SLEQoL questionnaire is valid and reliable for the measurement of HRQoL in SLE patients.

Keywords: PRO; outcome assessment; quality of life; systemic lupus erythematous.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Male
Portugal
Quality of Life*
Reproducibility of Results
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. CEISUC/CIBB is funded by national funds through FCT Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the Multiannual Financing of R&D Units 2020-2023.