Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index: validity and reliability in patients with acne

Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2006 Aug 3:4:46. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-4-46.

Abstract

Background: Patient-reported quality of life is strongly affected by some dermatologic conditions. We developed a Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI-J) and used psychometric methods to examine its validity and reliability.

Methods: The Japanese version of the DLQI was created from the original (English) version, using a standard method. The DLQI-J was then completed by 197 people, to examine its validity and reliability. Some participants completed the DLQI-J a second time, 3 days later, to examine the reproducibility of their responses. In addition to the DLQI-J, the participants completed parts of the SF-36 and gave data on their demographic and clinical characteristics. Their physicians provided information on the location and clinical severity of the skin disease.

Results: The participants reported no difficulties in answering the DLQI-J items. Their mean age was 24.8 years, 77.2% were female, and 78.7% had acne vulgaris. The mean score of DLQI was 3.99(SD: 3.99). The responses were found to be reproducible and stable. Results of principal-component and factor analysis suggested that this scale measured one construct. The correlations of DLQI-J scores with sex or age were very poor, but those with SF-36 scores and with clinical severity were high.

Conclusion: The DLQI-J provides valid and reliable data despite having only a small number of items.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / classification
  • Acne Vulgaris / physiopathology
  • Acne Vulgaris / psychology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Japan
  • Language
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Schools
  • Sickness Impact Profile*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Translations
  • Workplace / psychology