Abstract

Objective

The aim of the present study was to validate a Swedish translation of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire in patients with gallstone disease.

Methods

Sensitivity to change, internal consistency, and test–retest stability were tested in 187 consecutive patients who underwent planned cholecystectomy. Construct validity was assessed by comparing the GIQLI score with the bodily pain scale of SF-36 and four single-item questions in a separate group of 104 patients.

Results

A significant increase in all five domains as well as in the overall GIQLI score 6 months after surgery (all P 0.05) was seen. All five domains correlated significantly with other measures of gallstone-related symptoms except one single-item question. Intraclass correlations ranged from 0.62 to 0.87. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.77 to 0.89.

Conclusion

The Swedish translation of GIQLI has a high validity and reliability for assessing the impact of gallstones on quality of life.