Validation of a quality of life self-questionnaire for HIV patients: VIH47.

Objective - We present the results of a validation study on VIH47, a French health-related quality of life self-questionnaire, designed for HIV patients. Patients and methods - The questionnaire was initially put together by combining MOS SF-36 and MOS HIV-30. The first validation study, involving 132 consenting patients, checked the acceptability the internal consistency and the convergent validity: It led us to write out a 47-item form measuring 12 different dimensions. Then we made a test retest reliability study involving 60 other patients. Results - VIH47 is well-accepted, with a good internal consistency and convergent validity according to the disease stage. Test-retest reliability was good. Conclusion - This French self questionnaire assessing HIV patients' quality of life, including SF-36 seems ready for use; new extensions (i.e. exploring sexuality or social support) could be added. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.