Validation of the QUEST for German-speaking countries

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Quality of Life Research
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Essential tremor (ET) significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
• Validated instruments are crucial for assessing ET-specific quality of life.
• The Quality of Life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire (QUEST) is a tremor-specific measure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinimetric properties of the German version of the QUEST.
• To assess the QUEST as a disease-specific quality of life measure for essential tremor.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study design.
• Translation and back-translation of the QUEST into German.
• Diagnosis of ET based on established criteria.
• Concurrent assessment with EQ-5D and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II).

Main Results:

• The German QUEST showed no floor or ceiling effects.
• Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.50 to 0.89.
• The QUEST summary index moderately correlated with BDI-II and self-rated tremor severity.

Conclusions:

• The German QUEST is acceptable and has satisfactory internal consistency.
• The questionnaire is a valuable tool for evaluating quality of life in German-speaking ET patients.
• Head, voice, and right-hand tremor show a moderate association with reduced quality of life.