To create a Persian translation of the disease-specific Graves orbitopathy (GO) quality-of-life questionnaire (GO-QOL) and test the validity and reliability.

In a cross-sectional study, The GO-QOL was translated into Persian language using forward and backward translations. 141 consecutive GO patients answered the GO-QOL. For test-retest analysis, 60 patients refilled the questionnaire 2-4 weeks later. Using factor analysis, correlation with clinical measures (predefined hypotheses), Cronbach’s alpha (CA), and Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) the validity and reliability of GO-QOL were evaluated.

CA and ICC were 0.65 and 0.85 for visual functioning subscale respectively. For appearance subscales they were 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. Mean visual appearance scores were 78.18 and 56.25, respectively. Difference of visual functioning and appearance scores across 3 classes of EUGOGO were not statistically significant. It was also not statistically different between active and inactive stages. Appearance score was marginally lower in women than men.

The construct validity and reliability of the GO-QOL were supported by the principal component factor analysis and internal consistency results. ICC reflects that the errors of measurement were relatively small, which supports the value of this questionnaire for trials. Discriminant validity of GO-QOL was not confirmed due to weak association with clinical measures.