Reliability and validity of a measure to assess the health-related quality of life of women with alopecia areata

Abstract

Abstract Alopecia areata (AA) has an impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The Women’s Androgenetic Alopecia Quality of Life (WAA-QoL) questionnaire is a reliable, validated HRQoL measure in women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). There is no equivalent measure for female patients with AA. Data were collected as part of the Global Registry of Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Safety (GRASS) Australia. The WAA-QoL, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Skindex-16 for AA, as well as the Severity of Alopecia Tool score, were extracted from GRASS for adult female patients. Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis were employed to determine the internal consistency of the measure, and nonparametric correlation testing assessed the validity of the questionnaire. Overall, 137 individuals completed the questionnaires. There was excellent internal consistency of the WAA-QoL among women with AA (Cronbach’s α = 0.98). A moderate and high positive correlation was found between the WAA-QoL and the DLQI and the Skindex-16 for AA, respectively. The WAA-QoL is a reliable and valid assessment of HRQoL among women with AA.