German-translated Norfolk quality of life (QOL-DN) identifies the same factors as the English version of the tool and discriminates different levels of neuropathy severity.

Background: The development and validation of Norfolk QOL-DN, a fiber-specific, quality-of-life tool for diabetic neuropathy, was published previously (Part 1). This study (Part 2) defines the psychometric properties of the German-translated Norfolk QOL-DN in a large multicenter (96 sites) population with neuropathy ranging from minimal to severe, comparing them with those in the original English/American version in a 30-center European/North American population with mild neuropathy; determines the power of the German-translated version in a five-staged diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) German population to discriminate different levels of neuropathy severity; and establishes factors having the greatest impact on QOL.

Methods: One hundred eighty-six German patients were assessed: asymptomatic of DPN (n = 40), symptomatic (n = 46), DN with foot-ulcer history (n = 32), DN with amputations (n = 22), and DN amputation history (n = 46).

The development and validation of the Norfolk QOL-DN, a new measure of patients' perception of the effects of diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.

Background: This study was designed to develop and validate a patient-reported outcomes measure, sensitive to the different features of diabetic neuropathy (DN)-small fiber, large fiber, and autonomic nerve function.

Methods: The review of 1,000 structured patient interviews guided the development of 28 items pertaining specifically to the symptoms and impact of large fiber, small fiber, and autonomic nerve function. These items, in addition to 14 generic health status items and five general information items formed the 47-item Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire-Diabetic Neuropathy (QOL-DN).