Saratov JOURNAL of Medical and Scientific Research

№3, 2022, volume 18

Development a "Quality of Life" (QoL) questionnaire for a patient in cataract surgery based on an expert assessment by ophthalmologists

Year: 2022, volume 18 Issue: №3 Pages: 301-304
Heading: Ophthalmology Article type: Original article
Authors: Ovechkin N.I., Pavlov A.I., Ovechkin I.G., Pokrovsky D.F.
Organization: Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialized Types of Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Academy of Postgraduate Education, Moscow State University of Food Production, Russian Research Medical University n. a. N.I. Pirogov
Summary:

Objective: development a "Quality of Life" (QoL) questionnaire for a patient in cataract surgery based on an expert assessment by ophthalmologists. Material and methods. As part of the preliminary stage of work, based on the results of a patient survey, as well as an analysis of the literature data, the initial volume of patient complaints was formed before and after cataract phacoemulsification (PEC), which were transformed into questions (a total of 52 questions). The study was performed with the participation of 47 expert ophthalmologists with professional experience from 7 to 35 years (average 19.2±1.4 years), including experience in performing PEC from 1 to 24 years (average 11.9±1.7 years). The task of the expert was to assess the relevance of each of the questions from the standpoint of the degree of influence on the patient's QoL. At the same time, the assessment was performed on a 10-point scale, according to which 0 points —the question is not relevant; 10 points —the question is very relevant. Results. Analysis of the results included: statistical processing of experts' answers on each of the questions; development of the initial version of the questionnaire (according to the Pareto method), as a result of which 28 (out of 42) most relevant questions were identified); association of similar clinical questions and statistical assessment of the validation (acceptability) of the association. The final version of the questionnaire includes 22 questions. Conclusion. The developed questionnaire fully complies with the requirements of meaningful and constructive validity.

Keywords: phacoemulsification of cataract, quality of life