A modified quality-of-life measure for youths: psychometric properties

In the Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT), a Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) measure was developed to assess the psychosocial impact of intensified regimens. Its applicability for use with children and adolescents was limited by the exclusion criteria of the DCCT. In this study, the DQOL was modified for specific use in young diabetes populations. The result is an instrument composed of three intercorrelated scales--a Diabetes Life Satisfaction scale, a Disease Impact scale, and a Disease-Related Worries scale--with satisfactory levels of reliability. While the scale variances were independent of glycosylated hemoglobin values, they were related to adolescents' perception of their general health status. Self-perceived quality of life related to diabetes management is an important alternative outcome for diabetes education programs.