Development and preliminary validation of the Anaphylaxis Quality of
Life Scale for Adults (A-QOL-Adults)
Abstract
Background: Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially
life-threatening allergic reaction which can have a detrimental impact
on quality of life (QoL). There are no validated scales to measure the
impact of anaphylaxis on QoL of adults. The aim of this study was to
develop and assess the reliability and validity of a QoL scale for
adults with anaphylaxis (the A-QoL-Adults). Methods: Interviews
were conducted with 13 adults with anaphylaxis; data was analysed using
thematic analysis to extract items for a QoL scale. A 28-item prototype
QoL scale was then completed by 115 participants (with a confirmed
diagnosis of anaphylaxis as per the WAO diagnostic criteria) alongside
validated scales to measure generic QoL (WHOQoL BREF), anxiety and
depression (HADS) and stress (PSS). All participants were recruited from
a specialist allergy clinic. Results: After factor analysis,
the A-QoL-Adults scale was reduced to 21 items which had excellent
internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.96). Factor analysis produced 3
sub-scales: Emotional Impact; Social Impact; Limitations on Life. Each
had excellent internal reliability (0.92; 0.92; 0.91 respectively).
Poorer anaphylaxis-related QoL (total A-QoL-Adults score and sub-scale
scores) correlated significantly with poorer general QoL and greater
anxiety, depression and stress (all p<0.01 with medium to
large effect sizes). Conclusions: The A-QoL-Adults scale is a
reliable measure of QoL in adults with anaphylaxis and shows good
construct validity. It will offer healthcare professionals a means to
further understand the impact of anaphylaxis on adult patients and could
help direct and monitor clinical care and the need for further
psychological intervention.