Disease-specific Quality of Life Measurement Tools for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease：a Scoping Review postprint

Abstract: Background　Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease（COPD）is characterized by its progressive and irreversible nature，prolonged disease course and frequent exacerbations. Patients often manifest psychological issues such as anxiety and depression，which significantly impair their quality of life. Quality of life scales represent the most prevalent method for assessing treatment outcomes and quality of life in COPD patients. Numerous COPD-specific quality of life scales have been developed both domestically and internationally. However，considerable variations exist across different scales in terms of their dimensions，items，and measurement levels. Consequently，comparative analysis among these diverse scales is essential for their appropriate application. Objective　To conduct a scoping review of disease-specific quality of life measurement tools for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods　We systematically searched seven databases，including Web of Science，PubMed，Embase，CNKI，Wanfang Database，VIP Database，and China Biomedical Literature Database，using keywords related to "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" "quality of life" and "measurement properties." The search timeline spanned from the inception of these databases to December 31，2023. We extracted information on the characteristics of each tool from the original development literature，and organized the dimensions addressed by these tools along with a comprehensive overview of their measurement properties. Results　Our review encompassed 25 COPD-specific quality of life measurement tools，with 7 developed with a focus on the Chinese population and 18 originating from abroad. Notably，7 of the foreign-developed scales have received extensive validation within Chinese population. Respiratory symptoms（including shortness of breath，coughing，expectoration，chest tightness and wheezing），social interaction，and the impact on daily life were found to be the most frequently measured dimensions across these scales，with an occurrence in 92.0% of the scales. The majority of the scales utilized Cronbach's α to assess internal consistency. In terms of scale validity assessment，Chinese-developed scales predominantly emphasized content and construct validity，while foreign-developed scales validated domestically were used more frequently for criterion validity. Responsiveness/sensitivity and the minimum clinically important difference（MCID）were relatively infrequently determined. Conclusion　Despite a multitude of studies on the development and validation of COPD-specific quality of life measurement tools，there is a discernible absence of guidance from modern measurement theories. The interest of Chinese researchers in these COPD-specific quality of life measurement tools has increased in recent years. Going forward，it is recommended to employ contemporary measurement methodologies，such as item response theory，for the development and validation of such scales. Additionally，the utilization of the COSMIN guidelines is advocated for a systematic assessment of the measurement properties of these scales.