The development and validation of a Spanish version of the quality of life in depression scale (QLDS)

The adaptation of the Quality of Life in Depression Scale, the QLDS, into Spanish.

The original UK version of the QLDS was considered by two translation panels, who produced a Spanish translation. Priority was given to conceptual rather than semantic equivalence. This version was then field-tested with 15 depressed patients. The final stage of the research involved a postal survey of 62 patients, who were asked to complete the measure on two occasions.

The Spanish QLDS was found to be appropriate and acceptable by depressed patients. The questionnaire's test-retest reliability and internal consistency were both high, and QLDS scores correlated as predicted with scores on sections of the Nottingham Health Profile. The measure was sensitive to different levels of depression as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

The Spanish version of the QLDS is suitable for use in clinical trials and for monitoring individual patients in routine clinical practice.