Evaluating the internal reliability and convergent validity of the 19-item Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19) questionnaire in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes

Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a significant public health concern worldwide, with a notably high impact in India, where it markedly affects patients' quality of life (QoL). Although the 19-item Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19) questionnaire is a recognized tool for evaluating diabetes' impact on QoL, its psychometric properties have not been thoroughly assessed in the Indian population. Objective This study aims to evaluate the internal reliability and convergent validity of the Hindi version of the ADDQoL-19 questionnaire among Indian patients with T2D. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 T2D patients who completed the Hindi versions of both the ADDQoL-19 and the EuroQoL-5 Dimension-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha for internal reliability, and Spearman's correlation for convergent validity with the EQ-VAS scores were computed. Results Participants had a mean age of 45 years, suggesting an earlier diabetes onset in this demographic. The ADDQoL-19 identified a significant negative impact on QoL, particularly in the "closest person relationship" domain. The Hindi version of ADDQoL-19 showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) and a strong positive correlation with EQ-VAS scores (r = 0.80, p < 0.01), demonstrating high convergent validity. Conclusion The Hindi version of the ADDQoL-19 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing QoL among Hindi-speaking T2D patients. Its integration into clinical settings is recommended for comprehensive and culturally sensitive patient care, which is crucial for enhancing individualized patient management and outcomes in India.