Development of the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ): a questionnaire to measure alcohol and opiate dependence in the context of a treatment evaluation package

Abstract

The Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) has been developed as part of a treatment evaluation package. The LDQ is a 10-item, self completion questionnaire designed to measure dependence upon a variety of substances; it has been shown to be understood by users of alcohol and opiates. The questionnaire was designed to be sensitive to change over time and to be sensitive through the range from mild to severe dependence; the follow-up data are insufficient to demonstrate change over time, but are encouraging. It is expected that both clinicians and researchers will find it useful to have a single measure relating to substance use, but not limited by specific substances. All items are scored 0-1-2-3; there are no normative data. The procedure for establishing content validity is described and estimates of concurrent, discriminant and convergent validities are reported; these validities are thought to be satisfactory. A principal components analysis produced a single factor accounting for 64% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.94. Test-retest reliability was found to be 0.95.

Measuring Health and Broader Well-Being Benefits in the Context of Opiate Dependence: The Psychometric Performance of the ICECAP-A and the EQ-5D-5L

“…Participants were assessed in terms of substance use (TOP) [46], mental health (CORE-OM) [47], social support (ISEL) [48], substance dependence (LDQ) [49], social satisfaction (SSQ) [50], capability-wellbeing (ICECAP-A) [22], and HrQoL (EQ-5D-5L) [5]. Questionnaires were completed during face-to-face interviews at baseline, and at 3 months and 12 months post-randomisation.…”

“…The LDQ is used to measure dependence on a range of substances [49]. It comprises 10 items and each item is scored on a 0-3 scale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of substance dependence.…”

Sodium valproate in migraine without aura and medication overuse headache: A randomized controlled trial

“…Secondary outcomes included (1) the number of days with headache and (2) headache intensity, measured with a 4-point scale with 0=no pain, 1=mild headache, 2=moderate headache, 3=severe headache; and changes in (3) the monthly frequency, duration and severity of headache attacks; (4) the number of days/month with acute medications; (5) MIgraine DisAbility queStionnaire (MIDAS) (Stewart et al, 2000); (6) Migraine Specific Quality of life questionnaire (MSQ) (Bagley et al, 2012); (7) Modified Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (Modified-MINI) (Amorim et al, 1998); (8)- (9) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (Osman et al, 1997) and Beck Depression Inventory scales (BDI) (Richter et al, 1998); (10) Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores (YBOC) (Kim et al, 1990); (11) Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) scores (Raistrick et al, 1994); (12) Satisfaction with Treatment Questionnaire (TSQM) (Atkinson et al, 2005); (13) Tolerability (number and type of adverse events; number and type of adverse events leading to treatment withdrawal).…”

Assessment and management of alcohol dependence and withdrawal in the acute hospital: concise guidance

“…• Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for identification and as a routine outcome measure (Fig 1) • Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) (Fig 2) 13 or Leeds Dependency Questionnaire (LDQ) 9 for severity of dependence • Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, revised (CIWA-Ar) 10 for severity of withdrawal • Alcohol Problems Questionnaire (APQ) 11 for the nature and extent of the problems arising from alcohol misuse. 2 When assessing the severity of alcohol dependence and determining the need for assisted withdrawal, adjust the criteria for women, older people, children and young people, and people with established liver disease who might have problems with the metabolism of alcohol.…”