Construct Validity of the Short Form‐36 Health Survey and Its Relationship with BMI in Obese Outpatients

Abstract

In obese treatment-seeking outpatients, the clustering of SF-36 items in main components is not significantly different from the domain-based approach generally used, thus confirming the robustness of such a generic questionnaire in this specific condition. However, the peculiar clustering of some SF-36 items and their relationship with BMI suggest that the health-related quality of life profile of subjects belonging to that population may be better described with alternative aggregations of the SF-36 items or with disease-tailored questionnaires.