PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent studies on the feasibility, reliability and validity of pediatric health-related quality of life questionnaires and gives an overview of recent applications of these measures in pediatrics. RECENT FINDINGS: The often-applied short form of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF28) provides reliable physical and psychosocial summary measures, but reliable estimates for each scale require the longer version (CHQ-PF50). In addition to this questionnaire, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory is another reliable and valid measure. The TNO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life questionnaire is a feasible and reliable measure for preschool children. Generally, generic questionnaires are less sensitive to the impact of specific diseases than are disease-specific questionnaires. Parent and self-reports provide different outlooks on quality of life, which complement each other. SUMMARY: There are several feasible, reliable and validated pediatric quality of life questionnaires that can be used in clinical trials. These include generic and disease-specific questionnaires and health profile measures, as well as preference-based measures in pediatric settings. Generally, a combination of these types of questionnaires would be the most appropriate approach. Moreover, a combination of parent and self-reports should be applied. Appropriate selection of outcome measures will enhance the quality of pediatric studies and the ability to assess treatment effects in clinical trials.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent studies on the feasibility, reliability and validity of pediatric health-related quality of life questionnaires and gives an overview of recent applications of these measures in pediatrics. RECENT FINDINGS: The often-applied short form of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF28) provides reliable physical and psychosocial summary measures, but reliable estimates for each scale require the longer version (CHQ-PF50). In addition to this questionnaire, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory is another reliable and valid measure. The TNO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life questionnaire is a feasible and reliable measure for preschool children. Generally, generic questionnaires are less sensitive to the impact of specific diseases than are disease-specific questionnaires. Parent and self-reports provide different outlooks on quality of life, which complement each other. SUMMARY: There are several feasible, reliable and validated pediatric quality of life questionnaires that can be used in clinical trials. These include generic and disease-specific questionnaires and health profile measures, as well as preference-based measures in pediatric settings. Generally, a combination of these types of questionnaires would be the most appropriate approach. Moreover, a combination of parent and self-reports should be applied. Appropriate selection of outcome measures will enhance the quality of pediatric studies and the ability to assess treatment effects in clinical trials.
Authors: Corinne M P Buysse; Hein Raat; Jan A Hazelzet; Lindy C A C Vermunt; Elisabeth M W J Utens; Wim C J Hop; Koen F M Joosten Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2007-10-19 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: C M Jantien Vrijmoet-Wiersma; Annemarie M Kolk; Martha A Grootenhuis; Emmelien M Spek; Jeanine M M van Klink; R Maarten Egeler; Robbert G M Bredius; Hendrik M Koopman Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2008-12-03 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Hein Raat; Jeanne M Landgraf; Rianne Oostenbrink; Henriëtte A Moll; Marie-Louise Essink-Bot Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2006-11-17 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Clazien Bouwmans; Annemarie van der Kolk; Mark Oppe; Saskia Schawo; Elly Stolk; Michel van Agthoven; Jan Buitelaar; LeonaHakkaart van Roijen Journal: Eur J Health Econ Date: 2014-12