Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess health-related quality-of-life in cats with hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) assessment tools are becoming increasingly important for the assessment of diseases in veterinary medicine. Objectives: To develop a tool to assess the HRQoL of hyperthyroid cats and their owners. Animals: Cats with hyperthyroidism (n = 229) and without hyperthyroidism (n = 322). Methods: Cross-sectional study design. A preliminary list of 28 questions relating to the HRQoL of hyperthyroid cats and the influence their cat's disease might have on owners was created. Each question consisted of 2 subquestions: (1) “how often does the item apply”; (2) “how strongly does the item affect HRQoL.” The questionnaire was refined based on statistical analysis, including Mann-Whitney-U tests on each item, comparing the results from cats with and without hyperthyroidism. Internal consistency and reliability of the questions were measured by Cronbach's alpha (α). P