OBJECTIVES: Sawicki questionnaire is a 32-item specific measure for the evaluation of the change in the measure of the Quality of Health Related Life (HRQOL) experienced by patients treated by Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) versus traditional Oral Anticoagulant Therapies (OAT). The objective of this research focuses on the application of the Rasch model in selecting the most appropriate items of Sawicki questionnaire. METHODS: Sample was composed of 689 Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients in whom an attempt of electrical or pharmacological cardioversion was scheduled within a 4 months inclusion period from baseline (CARDIOVERSE study). Data were analyzed with WinSteps version 3.75 using the Rasch Partial Credit Model. Statistical criteria taken into account for the selection of those items with better psychometric properties were: model-fit and separation statistics, Differential Item Functioning (DIF), unexpected responses and item content.  The results were compared with those of the original version of the questionnaire in CARDIOVERSE sample. RESULTS: Misfiting items were deleted, resulting in a 12 items version rated on a 4-point Likert-scale. This short form of the questionnaire showed good model fit and represented an accurate measure of the construct. Infit MNSQ ranged from 0.90 to 1.15 (M=1.02; SD=0.09) and outfit MNSQ ranged from 0.90 to 1.18 (M=1.02; SD=0.08). Person separation index and item reliability were 2.11 and 0.99 respectively and item-person map showed that the test was on-target and covered the wide range of the ability scale. Finally, the criterion validity of the short version by age, sex and risk groups was similar to the original version of the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Short version of Sawicki questionnaire has adequate psychometric properties in terms of goodness-of-fit-test and reliability. This version makes it possible to have a new short and appropriate HRQoL measure for the study of the effect in QoL experienced by patients treated by NOACs.