Neutral theory: applicability and neutrality of using generic health-related quality of life tools in diseases or conditions where specific tools are available.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) tools are limited by the indicators included in the construct and variation in interpretation by different researchers. Neutral Theory describes the ideal construct that includes all relevant indicators and, therefore, complete accuracy, or neutrality. Neutral Theory can thereby provide the framework to develop or test constructs. To assess the application of Neutral Theory, the neutrality of generic tools (SF-36 and EQ-5D) at measuring HRQoL was compared to disease/condition-specific tools, with the latter considered surrogates for the Neutral construct.

Methods

Full descriptions of all disease/condition-specific HRQoL tools published on PubMed (to 01-Jul-19) were sourced. For each tool, the number of items with and without

SUBMITTER: Jandhyala R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8077839 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature