Advancement of the QOLIBRI use and applications

Abstract

Objective: To report the advancement of the use and applications of the QOLIBRI, a 37-item disease-specific tool of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: We have performed a literature review of HRQoL in TBI involving QOLIBRI, via PubMed, since its three initial publications in 2010. We have selected 24 more studies and taken into account our respective clinical experiences on QOLBRI use up to now. Results: The QOLIBRI was initially validated in six languages: Dutch, Finnish, English, French, German, and Italian. After two assessment waves, the validation study on 795 TBI-persons showed a good reliability (Cronbach 0.86 and test-retest reliability 0.81). The QOLIBRI was related - but with an added-value- to SF-36, the Glasgow Outcome Scale extended (GOSE) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Further studies have led to a comparison with the generic instrument SF-36, and the International Classification of Functioning (ICF). A 6-item Overall QOLIBRI scale (QOLIBRI - OS), and relative’s proxy version (Pro-QOLIBRI) were designed and validated. Moreover, QOLIBRI was validated in Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. In addition, QOLIBRI was applied in studies on elderly people, mild TBI, coping and insurances. Conclusion: The QOLIBRI enlightens patient’s subjective perception of his/her HRQoL which supplements measures of functional outcome. It allows the identification of personal needs, the prioritization of therapeutic goals and the evaluation of individual progress. It may also be useful in clinical trials and in longitudinal studies of TBI recovery.