Detecting When "Quality of Life" Has Been "Enhanced": Estimating Change in Quality of Life Ratings.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To demonstrate challenges in the estimation of change in quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Data were taken from a completed clinical trial with negative results. Responses to 13 QOL items were obtained 12 months apart from 258 persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) participating in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with two treatment arms. Two analyses to estimate whether "change" in QOL occurred over 12 months are described. A simple difference (later - earlier) was calculated from total scores (standard approach). A Qualified Change algorithm (novel approach) was applied to each item: differences in ratings were classified as either: improved, worsened, stayed poor, or stayed "positive" (fair, good, excellent). The strengths of evidence supporting a cla

SUBMITTER: Tractenberg RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4514524 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature