Adaptation of the German language version of the QUAlity of life assessment of spina bifida for adults (QUALAS-A-G)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction Spina bifida (SB) affects almost all activities in daily life and therefore also health-related quality of life (HRQOL). To assess the HRQOL of adults with SB, a self-reported QUAlity of Life Assessment of Spina bifida in Adults (QUALAS-A) was validated in English. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a German version of QUALAS-A.Methods German-speaking adults > = 18 years were recruited at a tertiary center and through an SB association. Two urologists translated the QUALAS-A into German. Face and content validity were assessed by adults with SB. Back-translation into English was performed. QUALAS-A-G was administered online as part of a larger study of sexuality in SB. Internal consistency was verified using Cronbach’s alpha. Factor analysis, convergent validity, and differences between groups based on continence were established.Results A total of 45 adults with SB participated (median age of 29 years old). Domain scores demonstrated no floor and minimal ceiling effects. Cronbach’s alpha determined good internal consistency (0.58–0.70). The factor analysis converged to a somewhat different three-factor structure compared to the original version, but otherwise had similar properties to the original. Construct validity revealed moderate associations (r = 0.36–0.65) between QUALAS-A-G domains, indicating they measure different aspects of HRQOL. Adults who were continent of both urine and stool reported higher QUALAS-A-G scores than those who were incontinent.Conclusion We demonstrated QUALAS-A-G to be reliable and valid in German-speaking adults with SB. The QUALAS-A-G could be a useful tool for communication between adults with SB and medical staff.
Source: Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4405287744