| Objectives:Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disorder that contributes profound impact on patients’quality-of-life (QoL). The aim of this work was to develop a Chinese version of the Chronic Urticaria Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL) and to test its acceptability, reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change.Methods:328CU patients were prospectively recruited and evaluated by the translated Chinese version of CU-Q2oL along with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Disease activity was assessed using the Urticaria Activity Score7(UAS7). Demographic and clinical data were also collected. A subscale of patients completed the same questionnaires for a second visit in4weeks. Factor analysis was used to determine correct scales with proper item division of the Chinese CU-Q2oL. Internal consistency, convergent validity and known-group validity were determined. Sensitivity to change was measured in83patients. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the predicting factors of CU-Q2oL results.Results:Factor analysis revealed a six-dimensional structure: Function/metal status, Sleep, Itching/bothered, Limits, Swelling, and Eating/ADR, which accounted for68.81%of data variance. Five of the six scales showed good internal consistency. Convergent validity and know-group validity showed good correlations. It was found to distinguish well between patients with different levels of urticaria activity and the correlation between the change of UAS7and CU-Q2oL total scores is significantly different between the two visits. The disease severity measured by UAS7was highly significantly predictive of the CU-Q2oL total score. It was also highly significantly predictive of the CU-Q2oL score on all scales.Conclusion:The CU-Q2oL Chinese version is a valid, reliable and sensitive instrument. It can be widely adopted to evaluate treatment outcomes and be applied in clinical research in Chinese patients. |
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