Objective: The present study assessed the validity and reliability of the Thai Mini AQLQ in the Easy Asthma Clinic, Srinagarind Hospital.
Material and method: The present study used a cross sectional design, using an interview method by two trained-interviewers. The Thai Mini AQLQ consists of 15 items categorized into Symptoms, Activities, Emotions, Environment and Overall Scores. Scores range from 0 to 7 with higher scores meaning better quality of life. Cronbach's alpha was used to test for internal consistency reliability. Known group validation regarding asthma control was analyzed by the t-test and multiple regression, adjusting for age, gender and education.
Results: Of 168 patients recruited, 113 were controlled and, of these 55 were uncontrolled asthma patients, with an average age 53 +/- 13 years. Patients with controlled asthma reported significantly better scores in all domains compared with uncontrolled asthma: symptoms 6.6 +/- 0.54 vs. 4.7 +/- 1.14, p < 0.001; Activity 6.7 +/- 0.57 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.36, p < 0.001; emotion 6.4 +/- 0.91 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.67, p < 0.001; environment 5.3 +/- 1.10 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.24, p < 0.001 and overall scores 6.3 +/- 0.51 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.96, p < 0.001. Adjusting for age, gender and education using multiple regression, there was also a significant difference in all domains of Thai Mini AQLQ between the controlled and uncontrolled asthma patients. Internal consistency reliability was within the acceptable range (> 0.7) for all domains, except environment (overall 0.910; symptoms 0.855; activities 0.886; emotions 0.765 and environment 0.616).
Conclusions: Thai Mini AQLQ has known to be reliable and valid. Further study on test-retest reliability and responsiveness to change are warranted.