Reliability and validity of a smart quality of life scale for patients with tuberculosis

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the internal consistency and validity of a 6-item quality of life scale (QOL-6) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in China and to explore its associations with demographic and psychosocial factors. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 1342 patients using a structured questionnaire. Information about demographic and psychosocial characteristics was recorded, and QOL was evaluated by the QOL-6 scale. The internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the QOL-6 scale were examined. Moreover, linear regression analysis was used to assess the associations between demographic and psychosocial factors and QOL. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.81. A one-factor model demonstrated excellent model fit (CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.02), suggesting that the QOL-6 has good construct validity. Linear regression analysis indicated that lower QOL scores among patients with TB was associated with older age, lower education level, lower monthly income, lack of TB cure confidence, stigma, and depressive symptoms. The QOL-6 is a reliable, simple, and easy-to-administer tool for routinely monitoring QOL changes among patients with TB. Our study provides some evidence for the reduced QOL among patients with TB in China, and it is necessary to improve QOL using multifactorial approaches.