Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the chronic oral mucosal diseases questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire (COMDQ). METHODS: A consecutive sample of 200 patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases was enrolled to complete the questionnaire after its translation and cross-cultural adaptation. The reliability of the Chinese version of COMDQ was determined through internal consistency and test-retest methods. The construct validity of COMDQ was analysed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha value for the total COMDQ score was 0.894, and the test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient value for the total COMDQ score was 0.83. The EFA extracted four factors, which accounted for 67.89% of the variance. All items showed adequate factor loadings, ranging from 0.487 to 0.947. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the Chinese version of the COMDQ has satisfactory psychometric properties and is applicable to patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases in China.

Further reliability and responsiveness of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability and responsiveness of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire (COMDQ), in measuring the quality of life (QofL) in patients with chronic oral mucosal conditions. METHODS: A random sample of 160 patients with the following chronic oral mucosal conditions, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral lichen planus, the more common vesiculobullous conditions (mucous membrane pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris) and orofacial granulomatosis received a copy of the COMDQ. A subset of 100 patients received the questionnaire on two further occasions, 2 weeks and 3 months later. Statistical tests were carried out to evaluate the test-retest reliability and responsiveness of this instrument. RESULTS: This study has demonstrated that the COMDQ has good test-retest reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.81 and is responsive to changes in the patients' overall conditions. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study has further demonstrated the reliability and responsiveness of the COMDQ in assessing QofL in patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases.

A patient-centered approach to developing a quality-of-life questionnaire for chronic oral mucosal diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a self-completion questionnaire measuring quality of life in patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases. STUDY DESIGN: The stages of development involved the use of both clinical expert input, via a modified Delphi technique, and patient input, via qualitative interviews, in the generation of items. Item reduction was carried out using a judgment method. RESULTS: Expert input was derived from 5 professors or consultants in oral medicine. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 patients during the item-generation phase of development. An initial item pool of 28 items was generated from the clinician and patient input. Importance ratings ranged from 4.0 to 0.44. Items with importance ratings below 1 were reviewed and considered for exclusion. Three items were subsequently excluded and 1 item added resulting in a final 26-item instrument. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first discipline-specific quality-of-life measure developed in the field of oral medicine.

Impact of chronic oral mucosal disease on daily life: preliminary observations from a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of daily life of persons with chronic oral mucosal conditions. METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to recruit patients from the Oral Medicine Unit of Cork University Dental School and Hospital. An experienced independent facilitator convened the focus groups and conducted individual interviews in a non clinical setting. Focus groups were mixed with regard to gender, age, chronic oral mucosal condition, time since diagnosis and severity. A total of 24 patients took part, including patients with oral lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, recurrent aphthous stomatitis and orofacial granulomatosis. RESULTS: Analysis of the interviews revealed that patient views could be divided into the following themes - biopsychosocial issues, treatment limitations and side effects, unpredictability of the conditions and the potential for malignant transformation and issues for the healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: Chronic oral mucosal conditions impact upon the experience of daily life of patients in a variety of areas from physical health and functioning, to concerns about their future. The role of the oral medicine practitioner in treating patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases extends beyond active management and symptomatic relief to the management of all aspects of these conditions that impact upon their daily lives.