Development of SF-36 Questionnaire in the Measurement of Quality of Life in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy in Iran

Abstract EN

The measurement of quality of life in patients with chronic diseases such as renal insufficiency has come under increased attention recently.

Many questionnaires have been developed and tested in terms of applicability, validity and reliability in different centers according to different cultural and geographical circumstances.

The current study is contemplated to determine the reliability of the short form 36-item (SF-36) questionnaire related to quality of life that was translated into Farsi and modified by adding 25 specific items related to renal replacement therapy.

The modified questionnaire was tested on 10 transplant patients within 6-12 months after operation.

The test to retest time interval was three weeks.

The answers to the questionnaire were obtained during a direct interview.

The total reliability coefficient (RC) was 0.70.

Deletion of items 20, 49 and 52 increased the RC to 0.75.

Conclusion : this study shows that there is a considerable change of opinion in relation to the contents of the items between test-retest.

Therefore, to refine this situation, there is a need to reconsider the contents of the items in the future studies.