International validation of the CLAU-S quality-of-life questionnaire for use in patients with intermittent claudication

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intermittent claudication (IC) occurs in patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease and results in leg pain after walking a certain distance - the claudication distance. Until recently, no specific questionnaire has been available to measure quality of life in patients with IC. OBJECTIVES: To validate the Claudication Scale (CLAU-S) questionnaire in patients in France, the UK, Germany and Belgium. METHODS: Patients completed the CLAU-S questionnaire and provided demographic and clinical data. Pooled data were examined for psychometric and structural validity and test-retest reliability. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to confirm that the questionnaire was me..