Abstract
Cough is a main symptom in bronchiectasis (BC). The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) has been validated in adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis (CF)-BC. This study aimed to create and validate a Spanish version of the LCQ in adult patients with non-CF-BC participating in a prospective longitudinal multicentric study.
Methods:Validity was assessed by correlating the LCQ with the Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and clinical variables when stable. Reliability was assessed by recording changes in the LCQ score 15 days after the initial observations of the patients in stable state. Responsiveness was assessed by the change in LCQ scores between the first visit and the first exacerbation during the 6 months following enrolment.
Results:259 patients (mean age 58±18 years) in 6 different hospitals were included. Validity: The correlation between LCQ and SGRQ scores was -0.696. There were significant correlations with clinical variables (mean difference in the LCQ score >1.3, p<0.0001). Reliability: Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.91 for the overall scale and 0.94 for "Physical", 0.93 for "Psychological", and 0.93 for "Social" domains. The internal consistency results were excellent. Responsiveness: The mean differences between LCQ scores in the stable state and the first exacerbation were significant (15.140 vs. 12.263, p<0.0001).
Conclusions:Like the English version, the Spanish version of the LCQ is able to discriminate disease severity, is responsive to change, and is reliable for use in non-CF-BC. It will also facilitate comparison with studies of English-speaking patients.
Study sponsored by PII Bronquiectasias, SEPAR.
- © 2013 ERS