Abstract
We used item response theory (IRT) methods for the assessment of the psychometric properties of a quality of life (QOL) questionnaire used to measure the effect of two nitrate treament regimens in patients with stable angina pectoris. IRT methods have been used little so far according to Medline 1990-1996 in this area, but these methods can be valuable. QOL is a highly dimensional construct and is often assessed in homogeneous populations, both of which are direct threats to reliability which is mostly used to evaluate the psychometric properties of QOL questionnaires. IRT methods do not use reliability as a measure of their applicability, but instead use formal goodness of fit tests. An additional advantage is that the scale used does not need an interval nature. In the present application IRT methods were applied successfully and we conclude that IRT methods are valuable tools for in QOL research.
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