Effectiveness of the EuraHS-QoL scale for evaluating quality of life among Chinese patients with abdominal wall hernias

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain following inguinal hernia repair is a non-negligible issue, yet accurately assessing patients' postoperative quality of life remains challenging. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity, and acceptability of the EuraHS-QoL scale within the Chinese patient population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Chinese version of the EuraHS-QoL as a questionnaire, 80 patients with abdominal wall hernias (enrolled between September and November 2024) were tested preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, and at 3 months postoperatively. Additionally, the Visual Analog Scale and SF-36 Health Survey were completed on the first day after surgery. Through data analysis, the scale's reliability, validity, and acceptability were confirmed.

RESULTS: The internal consistency of the three dimensions of the Chinese version of the EuraHS-QoL scale was confirmed, with high correlations among similar dimensions of the three scales. Meanwhile, the EuraHS-QoL scale demonstrated advantages in hernia-specific areas and exhibited higher patient compliance. Notably, EuraHS-QoL scores across all three modules were significantly lower at 3 months postsurgery than at the preoperative and 1 day postoperative assessments (p < 0.05), suggesting that hernia repair surgery enhances patients' physical and psychological well-being and overall quality of life.

CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the EuraHS-QoL scale has good reliability, validity, and acceptability, and it can serve as a reference tool for assessing quality of life in studies of abdominal wall hernia patients in China.

Keywords

Abdominal wall hernia / EuraHS-QoL / quality of life

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International Journal of Abdominal Wall and Hernia Surgery | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow on behalf of Higher Education Press