The SmithKline Beecham ?quality of life? scale: a validation and reliability study in patients with affective disorder

Abstract

The rationale for the development of Repertory-Grid based quality of life assessment (QOL) is described. The emergent scale, the SmithKline Beecham Quality of Life Scale (SBQOL) utilizes 23 predetermined constructs and three fixed elements: self now, ideal self and sick self. Inclusion of the latter two elements provides a personal frame of reference for the individual and recognizes the highly idiosyncratic and subjective nature of the experience which constitutes quality of life. A study of the validity and reliability of the SBQOL was conducted in 129 patients presenting to their GP with either major depression or generalized anxiety disorder, as defined by DSM III R. Patients were treated at the discretion of their GP and followed over a period of 12 weeks with assessments of treatment efficacy being performed at 6 weeks and 12 weeks in parallel with administration of the SBQOL. The results from co-administration of standard efficacy measures such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) with the SBQOL, provided good evidence of construct validity. Evidence in support of the concurrent validity of the SBQOL was provided by co-administration of the Sickness Impact Profile and General Health Questionnaire (external criteria) with the SBQOL scale. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were high. No obvious advantage was conferred by the use of principal components analysis from the Flexigrid software package in contrast to a simple arithmetical procedure for computing interelement distances. It is concluded that the SBQOL provides a valid, reliable and practicable approach to the assessment of quality of life in patients with affective disorder.

Comparing effects of methylphenidate, sertraline and placebo on neuropsychiatric sequelae in patients with traumatic brain injury

“…The SmithKline Beecham 'Quality of Life' Scale (SBQoL) was used (Stoker et al, 1992). It consists of 23 items, which ranges from 1-10 points.…”

Symptoms, standards of living and subjective quality of life: a comparative study of schizophrenic and depressed out‐patients

“…Several studies have investigated the possible correlation between type of symptoms and subjective QOL. The data obtained in such studies generally highlight the presence of a definite, although partial, positive correlation with various clusters of symptoms for depression and/or anxiety (4,8,13,18), although data to the contrary have also been reported (19). An inverse correlation has been observed with regard to level of intellect (4), and conflicting results have been reported for psychotic symptoms.…”

Beyond the Hamilton Depression Scores in Long-Term Treatment of Manic-Melancholic Patients: Prediction of Recurrence of Depression by Quality of Life Measurements

“…Finally, a standardization of the SF-36 component of mental health including vitality (sum of the nine items) showed that HAM-D values of no depression (0-7) corresponded to 79, HAM-D values of mild depression (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) corresponded to 50, HAM-D values of less than major depression (13)(14)(15)(16)(17) corresponded to 45, and HAM-D values of major depres sion (18)(19)(20)(21)(22) corresponded to 20.…”

“…The Danish version 1.3 of the SBQOL [11] was used. The scale covers the following domains or constructs: psychic well-being, physical well-being, mood, locus of control, social relationships, work/ employment, activities and interests, religion and fi nance.…”