Assessment of the Chinese-Version SF-36 in the Chinese Opiate Addicts

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) assessed with opiate addicts in China. The sample was composed of 442 questionnaires from three regions in China, in 2004. The reliability of Chinese-version SF-36 was obtained using Cronbach's α and split-half coefficients and the validity was calculated using correlation analysis and confirmatory factor analysis method. The results of reliability and validity provide the first evidence that Chinese-version SF-36 is validated for Chinese addicts. The study's limitations are noted.

RESUMEN

Evaluación de la Versión China del SF-36 en los adictos a los opiáceos

Este estudio fue diseñado para evaluar la fiabilidad y la validez de la versión china del 36 (SF-36) de la Breve Forma de los Estudios de resultados médicos (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form) en los adictos a los opiáceos en China. La muestra se compone de 442 cuestionarios de tres regiones de China, en 2004. La fiabilidad de la Versión China del SF-36 se obtuvo utilizando los coeficientes de Cronbach's a y la división por la mitad de coeficientes (split-half) y la validez se calculó mediante el método de análisis de correlación y análisis de confirmación de los factores (CFA). A pesar de las limitaciones del estudio se observa que los resultados de la evaluación de la fiabilidad y la validez proporcionan la primera evidencia de que la versión china del SF-36 es válida para los adictos chinos.

Palabras clave adictos a los opiáceos, SF-36, la fiabilidad, la validez

RÉSUMÉ

Evaluation de la version chinoise de SF-36 parmi les drogués chinois des médicaments opiacés

Cette étude est consacrée à l’évaluation de la crédibilité et de la validité de la version chinoise du Formulaire bref 36 de l'Etude des Issues médicales (SF-36) parmi les drogués chinois des médicaments opiacés. L'exempulaire se compose de 442 questionnaires recueillis dans trois régions chinoises en 2004. La crédibilité de la version chinoise de SF-36 se mesure par le coefficient de Cronbach's a et celui de l’équivalence. Quant à sa validité, elle se mesure par l'analyse de la corrélation et celle des facteurs de confirmation. Basée sur les constatations, cette étude met en évidence le fait que SF-36 convient aux drogués chinois des médicaments opiacés.

Keywords :

• opiate addicts
• SF-36
• quality of life
• reliability
• validity

THE AUTHORS

Shiyan Yan, M.D., is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Public Health, Peking University, and is working at the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences as a Research Assistant. Her main scientific and research interests are epidemiology and statistical methods researching drug abuse.

Zhi Lian, M.D., is working at the National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, as a Research Assistant. Her main scientific and research interests are epidemiology survey methods of drug abuse.

Guikuan Sun, B.A., is working at the National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University. Her main scientific and research interests are epidemiology survey methods of drug abuse.

Yanping Bao, M.D., Ph.D., is working at the National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, as a Research Assistant. Her main scientific and research interests are epidemiology and statistical methods researching drug abuse.

Zhimin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., is working as a Professor at the National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, and is the Head of Department of Epidemiology. His main scientific and research interests are epidemiology, surveillance, and prevention of drug abuse.