Inventory-Description

The QOLIE-89 is an 89-item questionnaire that examines 17 different domains related to the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy. These domains include:

Overall quality of life: General evaluation of an individual’s sense of satisfaction and well-being.

Emotional well-being: Assessment of psychological state, including levels of anxiety and depression.

Social function: The impact of epilepsy on social activities and relationships.

Cognitive function: The effect of seizures on memory, concentration, and attention.

Energy and fatigue: Sense of vitality or exhaustion that may be associated with epilepsy.

Medication effects: Side effects of antiepileptic medications on physical and mental health.

Seizure effects: The frequency and severity of seizures and how they impact daily life.

The QOLIE-89 allows for a detailed assessment of quality of life, covering various dimensions crucial for individuals with epilepsy.

Data Analysis and Usage

The data from the QOLIE-89 are collected through participants’ responses to each of the 89 questions, typically scored using Likert-type scales. These data can be used for:

Comparing quality of life between individuals with epilepsy and the general population.

Evaluating the impact of therapeutic interventions, such as medication or surgery, on patients’ quality of life.

Monitoring disease progression and changes in quality of life over time.

Key statistical techniques used include:

Reliability analysis, such as calculating Cronbach’s alpha, to assess the internal consistency of subscales.

Factor analysis to identify the key dimensions of quality of life measured by the scale.

Comparative analyses to study differences among different groups of patients.

Purpose

The primary goal of the QOLIE-89 is to provide a comprehensive measure of the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy. Specifically, the scale aims to:

Evaluate the overall impact of epilepsy on an individual’s life, taking into account both medical and psychosocial parameters.

Identify specific areas that may need intervention or support, such as managing seizures, improving emotional well-being, or addressing medication side effects.

Provide information to healthcare professionals to improve treatments and interventions aimed at enhancing patients’ quality of life.

Calibration

The calibration of the QOLIE-89 involves the following steps:

Reliability analysis to measure the stability and consistency of responses across the scale.

Confirmatory factor analysis to validate the dimensions of quality of life assessed by the scale.

Validation of the scale through cross-cultural studies with different populations to ensure the generalizability and validity of the measurements.

Bibliography

Devinsky, O., Vickrey, B. G., Cramer, J., et al. (1995). Development of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-89). Epilepsia, 36(11), 1089-1104.

Cramer, J. A., Perrine, K., Devinsky, O., & Meador, K. (1998). A brief questionnaire to screen for quality of life in epilepsy: The QOLIE-10. Epilepsia, 39(6), 577-583.

Vickrey, B. G., Hays, R. D., Graber, J., Rausch, R., Engel, J., & Brook, R. H. (1992). A health-related quality of life instrument for patients evaluated for epilepsy surgery. Medical Care, 30(4), 299-319.