[Validation of the Korean version of liver disease quality of life (LDQOL 1.0) instrument].

Background and Aims: Assessment of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in treatment of chronic disease is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to validate a Korean translation of the Liver Disease Quality of Life instrument (LDQOL version 1.0) for use in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods: Two native Korean speakers with fluent English translated LDQOL including instructions, items, and response choices. This Korean translation of the LDQOL was administered to 121 patients with chronic liver disease. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were applied to test an internal consistency reliability of disease-specific scales of the LDQOL. MELD and modified CTP scores were calculated for all patients. Associations of MELD and modified CTP scores with severity of liver disease were analyzed with LDQOL.

Results: Internal consistency reliability was good (Cronbach's Alpha=0.69-0.94) in liver disease specific scales, except for the quality of social interaction scale (Cronbach's Alpha= 0.56). Mean modified CTP score and MELD score were 6.2+/-1.9 and 9.3+/-5.3, respectively. Both MELD score and modified CTP score showed correlations with most of the scores of liver disease specific scales of LDQOL 1.0, except for the quality of social interaction and sleep scale.

Conclusions: The Korean version of the liver disease specific scales of the LDQOL 1.0 is validated and useful for measuring HRQOL in Korean patients with chronic liver disease.