The Rosacea-specific Quality-of-Life instrument (RosQol): Revision and validation among Chinese patients

Rosacea is a common chronic facial disorder that affects patients' health-related quality of life; the only questionnaire designed specifically for rosacea is the Rosacea-specific Quality-of-Life instrument (RosQol). However, the questionnaire has not been validated among Chinese patients. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the RosQol. First, we translated the questionnaire into Chinese. Then, rosacea patients completed the RosQol and Dermatology Life Quality Index, indicating the disease's impact on their lives. We also collected patients' demographic and clinical data, including symptom self-evaluation scores and rosacea severity scores. Internal consistency was determined by using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability, and Spearman's correlation. Criterion-related validity and internal construct validity were also determined. Most RosQol items showed good internal consistency. However, items 13 and 19 were not sufficiently sensitive for use in the Chinese population; we deleted them and constructed the adjusted Chinese-version RosQol, which had good reliability and validity. When patients' clinical symptoms changed, the scores on the relevant dimensions of the adjusted RosQol also changed. Some RosQol items were not suitable for use in the Chinese sample. The adjusted Chinese-version RosQol was easy to complete, well received by patients, and demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability.