Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability
of the HeartQoL instrument in a population of stable coronary patients. DESIGN:
Analyses are based on the cross-sectional EUROASPIRE IV (EUROpean Action on
Secondary and Primary prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events) survey.
METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease were examined and
interviewed 6 months to 3 years after their coronary event.
During the interview
patients were asked to fill out the HeartQoL health-related quality of life
questionnaire as well as the EQ-5D and the hospital anxiety and depression scale
questionnaire. Psychometric analyses assessing the reliability and validity of
the HeartQoL instrument were performed. RESULTS: A total of 7449 patients
completed the HeartQoL instrument. Cronbach's alpha indicated excellent internal
consistency for the global HeartQoL scale (alpha = 0.92) and the physical
subscale (alpha = 0.91) and good internal consistency for the emotional subscale
(alpha = 0.87). Factor analysis confirmed the two-dimensional construct although
mixed results were found regarding the model fit. Discriminative validity
analysis confirmed better HeartQoL results in men, younger patients and higher
educated persons. Likewise, convergent validity was confirmed with moderate to
strong correlations among hypothesised constructs. CONCLUSION: Overall,
psychometric analyses of the HeartQoL instrument in a population of patients with
stable coronary heart disease showed good reliability and validity both at the
European as well as the country-specific level. However, further research should
focus on the responsiveness of the HeartQoL, the possible ceiling effect of the
emotional subscale, construct validity and the minimal clinically important difference.
CI - (c) The European Society of Cardiology 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS