Reliability and Validity of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Wound Quality of Life

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Patients with chronic wounds experience substantial quality of life (QoL) impairments. The Wound–QoL is a simple, valid tool for the longitudinal assessment of QoL in patients with chronic wounds. In this study, the Wound–QoL was translated into traditional Chinese, and the validity of the translated version was investigated. Methods: The Wound–QoLwas translated into traditional Chinese following international standards. In total, 100 patients with chronic wounds were enrolled. Participants completed 2 questionnaires 1 week apart. Data on demographics and the seriousness of wounds were collected. The EQ–5D–5L, the EQ VAS, and a subjective pain assessment instrument were also used. Results: The mean global scores of the Wound–QoL–TC were 2.7 in the first test and 2.1 in the second test. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the first and second test was 0.70 for the global score. The Wound–QoL–TC showed good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s α of 0.93 for the global score, 0.82 for the body subscale score, 0.89 for the psyche subscale score, and 0.88 for the everyday life subscale score. The global score of the Wound–QoL–TC was significantly correlated with the subjective pain score and the EQ–5D–5L total score (coefficient: 0.517, 0.386; both P < .001) but not with the EQ VAS (coefficient: −0.145; P = 0.234). Conclusion: The Wound–QoL–TC is a valid and simple instrument for assessing QoL in patients with chronic wounds.