Quality of life of HIV-infected patients:: Psychometric properties and validation of the German version of the MQOL-HIV

Objective: to determine the psychometric properties of the recently developed German version of the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for HIV/AIDS (MQOL-HIV) and to test its performance in a sample of HIV-infected patients. Methods: Two-hundred and seven outpatients with HIV/AIDS were interviewed with the German version of the MQOL-HIV; 109 patients were interviewed a second time approximately 2 weeks later. Patients also completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II). Results: The German version of the MQOL-HIV showed satisfactory internal consistency (r: 0.74-0.85, sexual functioning: r = 0.61) and test-retest reliability in most subscales (r: 0.74-0.89, medical care: r = 0.67). Convergent validity with WHO-DAS II and BDI was satisfactory for most domains. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a seven-factor solution with separate factors for physical, emotional, cognitive, social and financial aspects, sexual functioning and medical care. CD4 count and source of infection were associated with most QOL domains, whereas age and gender showed no major impact on QOL. High rates of missing values were seen in the partnership domain and substantial ceiling effects in the area of medical care. Conclusions: Overall the German version of the MQOL-HIV showed satisfactory reliability and validity. However, the domains of partnership, sexuality and medical care should generally receive more emphasis in future research on QOL assessment in patients with HIV/AIDS and the MQOL-HIV may be improved in these domains.