The instrument also includes two additional items measuring satisfaction with medication and overall life satisfaction. Each of the 16 items is rated on a 5-point scale that indicates the degree of enjoyment or satisfaction experienced during the past week. The total score of items 1–14 is computed (ranging from 14 to 70) and expressed as a percentage (1–100) of the maximum total score. Higher scores on the Q-LES-Q-SF indicate greater contentment or satisfaction.
The French translation of the original version was performed by J. Endicott. Participants completed the Q-LES-Q-SF for the first time and then completed the questionnaire for a second time as a retest between 2 and 4 weeks after the index visit. Patients also completed version 1 of the SF-12 as a benchmark to compare against the Q-LES-Q-SF [16]. The SF-12 is a generic QoL instrument that includes a subset of 12 items from the SF-36 [16]. The SF-12 covers eight domains: physical functioning; role-physical, that is, role limitations due to physical problems; bodily pain; general health; vitality; social functioning; role-emotional, that is, role limitations due to emotional problems; and mental health. Information from all 12 items is used to construct the physical and mental component summary measures (PCS-12 and MCS-12, respectively). Higher summary scores (=100) indicate an improved QoL. Participants completed the SF-12 during the index visit.