Reliability and Validity of the Serbian Version of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life Questionnaire (HSQoL-24).

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts in apocrine gland-rich areas, leading to significant impairment in patients' quality of life (QoL). Persistent symptoms affect physical functioning, psychological well-being, social interactions, and intimate relationships. Therefore, validated disease-specific instruments are essential for accurate QoL assessment in different populations.

Objective

The aim of this study was to validate the Serbian version of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life Questionnaire (HSQoL-24).

Methods

The validation process followed established methodological guidelines for psychometric evaluation. The Serbian HSQoL-24 version demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal consistency was excellent, with a Cronbach α of 0.907. Test-retest reliability was confirmed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.986 for the total score, demonstrating satisfactory reproducibility over time. A strong positive correlation was observed between the HSQoL-24 and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) total scores (Spearman's ρ = 0.806, p < 0.001), confirming good convergent validity, particularly in domains related to symptoms and feelings, occupational or educational functioning, and interpersonal relationships. Moreover, total HSQoL-24 scores increased significantly with disease severity, indicating the questionnaire's ability to discriminate between patients with different Hurley stages and confirming its discriminant validity.

Conclusions

The Serbian version of the HSQoL-24 questionnaire exhibits appropriate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity. These results support its use as a reliable and valid disease-specific instrument for assessing QoL in Serbian-speaking patients with HS in both clinical practice and research settings.