Validity and reliability of the Thai Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire

The present study assessed the validity and reliability of the Thai Mini AQLQ in the Easy Asthma Clinic, Srinagarind Hospital.

The present study used a cross sectional design, using an interview method by two trained-interviewers. The Thai Mini AQLQ consists of 15 items categorized into Symptoms, Activities, Emotions, Environment and Overall Scores. Scores range from 0 to 7 with higher scores meaning better quality of life. Cronbach's alpha was used to test for internal consistency reliability. Known group validation regarding asthma control was analyzed by the t-test and multiple regression, adjusting for age, gender and education.

Of 168 patients recruited, 113 were controlled and, of these 55 were uncontrolled asthma patients, with an average age 53 +/- 13 years. Patients with controlled asthma reported significantly better scores in all domains compared with uncontrolled asthma: symptoms 6.6 +/- 0.54 vs. 4.7 +/- 1.14, p < 0.001; Activity 6.7 +/- 0.57 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.36, p < 0.001; emotion 6.4 +/- 0.91 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.67, p < 0.001; environment 5.3 +/- 1.10 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.24, p < 0.001 and overall scores 6.3 +/- 0.51 vs. 4.6 +/- 0.96, p < 0.001. Adjusting for age, gender and education using multiple regression, there was also a significant difference in all domains of Thai Mini AQLQ between the controlled and uncontrolled asthma patients. Internal consistency reliability was within the acceptable range (> 0.7) for all domains, except environment (overall 0.910; symptoms 0.855; activities 0.886; emotions 0.765 and environment 0.616).

Thai Mini AQLQ has known to be reliable and valid. Further study on test-retest reliability and responsiveness to change are warranted.