Cultural validation of the post-Liver transplant quality of life (pLTQ) questionnaire for the Brazilian population

Ann Hepatol. 2016 May-Jun;15(3):377-85. doi: 10.5604/16652681.1198810.

Abstract

Background and rationale: The post-Liver Transplant Quality of Life (pLTQ) questionnaire, developed in the United States, is a disease-targeted instrument designed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in liver transplant recipients. Our study sought to validate a version of the pLTQ for use in the Brazilian population. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were carried out in accordance with international standard practices for questionnaire validation. Validity was measured by means of convergent validity (correlations between pLTQ domains and WHOQOL-Bref domains). Reliability was assessed by measurement of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient), sensitivity to change (effect size), and floor and ceiling effects.

Results: The study sample comprised 160 liver transplant recipients, with a mean age of 56.9 ± 10.4 years, treated at a tertiary hospital in Southern Brazil. The sample was largely male (62.5%), and the predominant indication for liver transplant was hepatocellular carcinoma (49.4%). Only two questionnaire items were modified during the translation and cross-cultural validation stage. The mean total pLTQ score was 5.58 ± 0.9, with < 20% floor/ceiling effect. Correlations between pLTQ and WHOQOL-Bref domains were acceptable (r = 0.37-0.40). For similar dimensions, the correlations between WHOQOL-Bref and pLTQ were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). Cronbach's alpha for the total score was 0.91 (95% CI 0.89-0.93), with a range of 0.51 to 0.77 across domains. Reproducibility was 0.90, and sensitivity to change was 0.84.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the Brazilian Portuguese versión of the pLTQ exhibited good psychometric performance, suggesting that it can be a useful tool in the Brazilian cultural context.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brazil
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Liver Transplantation* / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Outcome Assessment*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Translating
  • Treatment Outcome