PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE QUESTIONNAIRE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Purpose: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major public health problem worldwide and it leads to increase in morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) in Turkish patients with CLD.Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the methodological research design. Using a convenience sampling method 235 patients with CLD in a Akdeniz University. The instrument's psychometric properties were examined to determine factor analysis, criterion-related validity, internal consistency, interrater reliability and construct validity.Results: The patients average age was 55.48 & PLUSMN;12.02 years. Viral hepatitis was the most common etiology of CLD (53.6%). The total sample had a mean CLDQ score of 4.73 & PLUSMN;1.12. The factor analysis revealed that the scale consists of six sub-dimensions. No item was removed from the original scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found as 0.93. According to the results of the confirmatory factor analysis of the Turkish version of CLDQ, that six sub-dimensions consisting of 29 items was confirmed.Conclusion: Valid and reliable measurement tools are needed to evaluate health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with liver disease. Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measurement instrument.