Domains of health-related quality of life important to patients with giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVE To determine aspects of quality of life (QOL) important to people with giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS We explored the domains of QOL affected by GCA in audiotaped focus groups. We then created an Importance Rating Questionnaire (IRQ) by constructing questions related to the domains most frequently mentioned. Of 214 GCA patients to whom the IRQ was sent, 145 (68%) responded. We calculated frequencies of responses and then ranked items by the proportion selecting the top category of importance and also according to a mean item rank. We compared the domains of QOL covered by the IRQ with those in the Short Form 12 (SF-12). RESULTS The highest rated QOL item was "losing sight in both eyes permanently." Of the top 20 items, 12 were in domains not covered directly by the SF-12. CONCLUSION We have identified aspects of QOL important to GCA patients. Assessment of QOL in GCA should include vision and other domains that are not included in standard QOL questionnaires.

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