Australian Vascular Quality of Life Index (Ausviquol): A Pilot Study of a Disease-Specific Quality of Life Measure

Background: To develop and test a quality of life (QOL) index specific for patients with vascular disease and appropriate for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the clinical setting. Methods: The questions and domains of the Australian Vascular Quality of Life Index (AUSVIQUOL) were determined by examination of a prospective database for frequency of symptoms and an in-depth interview of a sample population. The validity of the AUSVIQUOL was tested by comparing it with the Medical Outcomes Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in a study involving 60 patients who underwent endovascular AAA repair and 48 open AAA repair. A subpopulation of 22 patients representative of the two groups was then reassessed using the SF-36 and the AUSVIQUOL, to compare the reliability of the two indices. Results: Similar domains of the SF-36 and the AUSVIQUOL measured common QOL elements. The correlation between the two indices was moderate; the AUSVIQUOL measured additional disease-specific QOL factors. The AUSVIQUOL showed better reliability than the SF-36 in all domains and statistically better in the physical function domain (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The AUSVIQUOL is an appropriate tool for the QOL assessment of patients with AAA in the clinical setting. © 2006 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.