Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study is to develop a Japanese version of the MacNew Heart Disease Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (MacNew) because there are few available heart disease-specific scales in Japan.
Methods: Firstly, research team members carried out repeated translation and back translation. After that, a Japanese version of MacNew was used to measure the health-related quality of life of 204 Japanese outpatients with chronic heart failure. Factor analysis, Pearson correlation coeffcients, and internal consistency were used to verify validity and reliability of the scale.
Results: As a result of the statistical analysis, the same three dimensions as in the original version of MacNew were identified for the 19 questionnaire items. Moreover the analysis showed a significant correlation between the Japanese version of MacNew and two other existent scales having the same concept, Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Additionally, construct validity was confirmed by comparative mean score between level of New York Heart Association which was one of the clinical indicators of heart disease. Also, regarding the internal consistency, the coeffcient value of Cronbach alpha for the total scores of the three dimensions of the Japanese version of MacNew was more than 0.7, which was verification of reliability.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Japanese version of MacNew with 3 dimensions consisting of 19 items was developed and its validity and reliability were confirmed.
