Quality of life measurements using a linear analog scale for elderly patients with chronic lung disease.

We developed a linear analogue scale (QOL Scale) to measure the quality of life (QOL) in elderly patients with chronic lung disease. In this study, the validity of the QOL Scale was assessed and QOL Scale scores were compared with the results of other conventional questionnaires. A total of 76 subjects, aged 65 years or older, divided into three groups according to disease severity, were tested by the QOL Scale and two additional questionnaires. The QOL Scale had the advantages of comprehensibility, acceptability and reproducibility. QOL Scale scores differed among the groups, while the other questionnaires showed no significant differences according to disease severity. QOL Scale scores correlated with the tendency toward neurosis shown by another index. We conclude that the QOL Scale is a practical and useful indicator of QOL in elderly patients with chronic lung disease.