Psychometric Properties of the Short-form-12 Questionnaire of Quality of Life Among Iranian Hemodialysis Patients

Background and purpose:. The quality of life of patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis is influenced by physical, psychological, and social factors. Accurate assessment of these dimensions using standardized tools is of great importance. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the 12-item Quality of Life Questionnaire in patients undergoing hemodialysis in the Iranian population. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2023, 411 hemodialysis patients in Mazandaran were selected through convenience sampling. After translating the Short Form-12 Quality of Life Questionnaire, its psychometric properties were assessed through exploratory factor analysis, network analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis, along with construct validity (convergent and divergent validity). Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Results: The results of the exploratory factor analysis indicated that two factors—physical health status and mental health status—accounted for 44.55% of the variance in the quality of life among hemodialysis patients. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis showed that the hypothesized model had a good fit (CFI= 0.930, IFI= 0.931, RFI= 0.936, TLI= 0.954). The extracted mental health factor in men demonstrated convergent validity (AVE above 0.5), and both factors exhibited appropriate divergent validity. Ultimately, the internal consistency of the Quality of Life Questionnaire was found to be within an acceptable range (greater than 0.7). Conclusion: The psychometric analysis of the Quality of Life Questionnaire indicates that patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis perceive their quality of life through two primary dimensions: physical and mental health status. This study confirmed the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) and the appropriate factor structure of the Persian version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Healthcare providers can use this tool in various studies to assess and improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients The use of this questionnaire allows researchers and healthcare professionals to more accurately and comprehensively evaluate the different aspects of quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Employing this tool can enhance treatment processes and improve patient satisfaction, serving as a valuable instrument for future research. This study emphasizes the importance of using valid and reliable tools to assess quality of life and recommends that nurses and other healthcare professionals integrate the Persian version of the 12-item Quality of Life Questionnaire into their treatment and research programs to help improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients and achieve better treatment outcomes. Future studies are recommended to investigate the impact of factors such as nutrition, social support, and rehabilitation programs on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Additionally, utilizing this questionnaire in different populations and therapeutic contexts can contribute to the generalizability of the findings and offer a more effective tool for quality of life assessments. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the 12-item Quality of Life Questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the quality of life in hemodialysis patients, making it valuable for both research and clinical programs. Using this tool can help improve patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes while providing essential data for clinical decision-making.