Accessing the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis Version 3.1 (QOL-B v3.1)
The Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) version 3.1 can be accessed through clinical trials registration websites such as ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00805025) or by contacting the developers directly. 1
About the QOL-B v3.1
The QOL-B is the first disease-specific, patient-reported outcome measure specifically designed for patients with bronchiectasis. It consists of 37 items across eight scales:
- Respiratory Symptoms
- Physical Functioning
- Role Functioning
- Emotional Functioning
- Social Functioning
- Vitality
- Health Perceptions
- Treatment Burden
Each scale is scored on a standardized 0-100 point scale, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life. No total score is calculated. 1
Validation and Clinical Importance
The QOL-B has undergone rigorous validation:
- It demonstrates excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α ≥0.70) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥0.72) 2
- The minimal important difference for the Respiratory Symptoms scale is 8.0 points 2
- It shows good responsiveness to clinical changes, with mean Respiratory Symptoms scores decreasing 14.0-14.2 points during pulmonary exacerbations 2
- The German translation has been psychometrically validated with good validity and test-retest reliability 3
Clinical Applications
The British Thoracic Society guidelines recommend considering routine monitoring of quality of life when planning interventions for bronchiectasis patients, specifically noting the QOL-B as a tool designed for bronchiectasis. 4, 5
The QOL-B is particularly valuable for:
- Evaluating the efficacy of new therapies in clinical trials
- Measuring symptoms, functioning, and quality of life in routine clinical practice
- Monitoring response to treatment interventions
- Assessing disease impact during exacerbations
Alternative Quality of Life Measures
While the QOL-B is specifically designed for bronchiectasis, other validated tools include:
- The Bronchiectasis Impact Measure (BIM): A newer, simpler visual analog scale with eight domains showing excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0.93) and reliability 6
- The COPD Assessment Test (CAT): While designed for COPD, it has been validated in bronchiectasis with excellent psychometric properties and a minimum clinically important difference of 3 points 7
Practical Steps to Access QOL-B v3.1
- Visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search for NCT00805025
- Contact the study authors or developers directly
- Reach out to professional respiratory societies that may have access to the questionnaire
- Consult with centers specializing in bronchiectasis management
The QOL-B is a valuable tool for both clinical practice and research, providing a standardized way to assess and monitor the impact of bronchiectasis on patients' quality of life.