Table 1 Overview over items selected for psychometric evaluation

1

QoL-RIQ

Being in air-conditioned buildings

Being in air-conditioned buildings (for instance, in hospitals)

RF1, In1

2

QoL-RIQ

On cold days

RF1, In1

3

QoL-RIQ

On foggy days

RF1, In1

4

QoL-RIQ

On humid days

RF1, In1

5

On windy days

RF1, In1

6

QoL-RIQ

Being outside during the polling season

RF1, In1

7

QoL-RIQ

Due to domestic animals or pets

RF1, In1

8

QoL-RIQ

By flowers, trees, plants

RF1, In1

9

VQ11

I feel unable to achieve my objectives

Because of my COPD, I feel unable to achieve all of my objectives.

RF2, In2

10

I am confident I will be able to cope with my COPD, even if the complaints get worse.

RF2^b, In2

11

I can imagine that there are people with severe COPD complaints, who feel that life is not worth living anymore.

RF2, In2

12

I don’t like having to ask somebody to help me, when I cannot do something myself.

RF2, In2

13

Because of my COPD, I appreciate my friends more.

Because of my COPD, I appreciate my social contacts (e.g., friends, partner, relatives) more.

RF2^b, In2

14

When I think about my COPD, I have a feeling of hopelessness.

RF2, In2

15

I shun activities I know will cause fatigue and breathlessness.

I shun activities I know will cause fatigue.

RF2, In2

16

Since being diagnosed with COPD, I have lived more consciously.

RF2^b, In2

17

I find it frustrating that I have to accept help for things I was used to doing myself.

RF2, In2

18

If my COPD symptoms get worse, I don’t care about life anymore.

RF2, In2

19

I am content with the things I can still do.

RF2^b, In2

20

I feel disappointed, when I’m not able to do something because of my COPD.

RF2, In2

21

Because of my COPD I’m afraid of being alone.

RF2, In2

22

When I worry about my COPD, I find it hard to talk about it.

RF2, In2

23

I don’t feel restricted, due to my COPD.

I feel restricted, due to my COPD.

RF2, In2

24

I value my life just as much as I did before I was diagnosed with COPD.

RF2^b, In2

25

I shun activities I know will cause fatigue and breathlessness.

I shun activities I know will cause breathlessness.

RF2, In2

26

I avoid thinking about how my COPD could get worse in the future.

RF2, In2

27

Once in a while I have such shortness of breath that I fear I will suffocate.

Once in a while I have such shortness of breath/wheezy chest that I fear I will suffocate.

RF2, In2

28

I find it very hard to accept that I cannot do everything I would like to do, due to my COPD.

I find it hard to accept that I cannot do everything I would like to do, due to my COPD.

RF2, In2

29

QoL-RIQ

Feeling dependent upon others

I don’t like the feeling of being dependent upon others.

RF2, In2

30

MRF-26

Because of my lung disease, I cannot talk as much as I would like to.

Because of my COPD, I cannot talk as much as I would like to.

RF2, In2

31

Because of my COPD, I am sometimes unable to control my bowel movements.

RF2, In2

32

MRF-26

Because of my COPD, I visit friends and acquaintances less frequently than I used to.

Because of my COPD, I go out to see friends or acquaintances less than usual.

RF2, In2

33

MRF-26

Because of my COPD, I spend much more time alone.

Because of my COPD, I spend much more time alone.

RF2, In2

34

MRF-26

Because of my COPD, I would like somebody to accompany me, when I go out

Because of my COPD, when I am outside I feel I need to have someone with me.

RF2, In2

35

SGRQ-C

My cough hurts

RF2, In2

36

SGRQ-C

My cough makes me tired

RF2, In2

37

SGRQ-C

I am breathless when I talk

I get breathless when I talk

RF2, In2

38

SGRQ-C

I am breathless when I bend over

I get breathless when I bend over

RF2, In2

39

SGRQ-C

My cough or breathing disturbs my sleep

RF2, In2

40

SGRQ-C

I get exhausted easily

I get tired easily

RF2, In2

41

SGRQ-C

My cough or breathing is embarrassing in public

I feel ashamed when I have to cough or when I have difficulty breathing in the presence of other people

RF2, In2

42

SGRQ-C

My chest trouble is a nuisance to my family, friends or neighbours

I feel that my chest trouble is a nuisance to my environment (e.g. family, friends or neighbours)

RF2, In2

43

SGRQ-C

I get afraid or panic when I cannot get my breath

RF2, In2

44

SGRQ-C

I feel that I am not in control of my chest problem

I have the feeling that I am not in control of my chest problem

RF2, In2

45

SGRQ-C

I have become frail or an invalid because of my chest

I have become frail or an invalid because of my chest problem

RF2, In2

46

SGRQ-C

Everything seems too much of an effort

RF2, In2

47

SGRQ-C

My breathing makes it difficult to do things such as walk up hills, carrying things up stairs, light gardening such as weeding, dance, play bowls or play golf

My breathing problems make it difficult to do light gardening, such as weeding.

RF2, In2

48

SGRQ-C

My breathing makes it difficult to do things such as carry heavy loads, dig the garden or shovel snow, jog or walk at 5 miles per hour, play tennis or swim.

My breathing problems make it difficult to exercise (e.g., jogging, playing tennis, or swimming).

RF2, In2

49

SGRQ-C

My breathing makes it difficult to do things such as walk up hills, carrying things up stairs, light gardening such as weeding, dance, play bowls or play golf.

My breathing problems make it difficult to do things such as dancing, playing golf, or playing bowls.

RF2, In2

50

It frustrated me that I couldn’t do everything I wanted to do anymore.

RF3, In3

51

I thought sometimes, I’m really fed up with everything.

RF3, In3

52

I wanted to stay in bed/lie down on the couch all day, when I had a “bad” day.

RF3, In3

53

I resigned myself to the fact that I was not able to do certain things anymore, due to my COPD.

I could accept it, when I was not able to do something anymore, due to my COPD.

RF3^b, In3

54

I tried to find an alternative when I could not perform a certain activity due to my COPD.

I persevered until I had finished an activity, despite the fact that I couldn’t perform that activity well, due to my COPD.

RF3^b, In3

55

I panicked, when I had trouble breathing

RF3, In3

56

I could cope with my COPD.

RF3^b, In3

57

I got my breathing problems under control.

RF3^b, In3

58

SGRQ-C

I cough

I coughed.

RF3, In3

59

SGRQ-C

I bring up phlegm (sputum)

I brought up phlegm (sputum).

RF3, In3

60

SGRQ-C

I have shortness of breath

I had shortness of breath.

RF3, In3

61

SGRQ-C

I have attacks of wheezing

I had attacks of wheezing.

RF3, In3

62

SGRQ-C

Getting washed or dressed

RF3, In4

63

SGRQ-C

Walking around the home

RF3, In4

64

SGRQ-C

Walking outside on the level

Going for a walk

RF3, In4

65

SGRQ-C

Walking up a flight of stairs

Walking up a flight of stairs (one floor)

RF3, In4

66

SGRQ-C

Walking up hills

Walking up a steep hill

RF3, In4