Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer1, Michael Erhart, Nora Wille, Monika Bullinger. 1. Center for Obstetrics and Paediatrics, Department of Psychosomatics in Children and Adolescents, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistasse 52, W29, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. ravens-sieberer@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The self-perceived health or health-related quality of life of children and adolescents is increasingly recognised as a relevant outcome in medical practice and public health research. Identifying children and adolescents with particularly low health-related quality of life allows for an early detection of hidden morbidity and health care needs. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates health-related quality of life in children and adolescents in Germany. METHODS: In the Mental Health Module (BELLA study) of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), the parents of 2,863 children and adolescents aged 7-17 years, and 1,700 children and adolescents aged 11-17 years completed the KINDL-R quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: The reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.86) and validity of the measurements using the parent-reported KINDL-R were confirmed. Means and percentiles were calculated for the total sample as well as for strata defined by age, sex, geographical region (east/west), migration status and socioeconomic status. Expected differences in health-related quality of life of children and adolescents from different social backgrounds and with different health statuses were demonstrated by differences in the KINDL-R scores (effect size d up to 1.29). CONCLUSION: This study provides representative, normative data (self-report and parent-report) on the test scores of health-related quality of life (KINDL-R) for the population of children and adolescents in Germany in general, as well as in sociodemographic and socioeconomic subpopulations.
BACKGROUND: The self-perceived health or health-related quality of life of children and adolescents is increasingly recognised as a relevant outcome in medical practice and public health research. Identifying children and adolescents with particularly low health-related quality of life allows for an early detection of hidden morbidity and health care needs. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates health-related quality of life in children and adolescents in Germany. METHODS: In the Mental Health Module (BELLA study) of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), the parents of 2,863 children and adolescents aged 7-17 years, and 1,700 children and adolescents aged 11-17 years completed the KINDL-R quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: The reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.86) and validity of the measurements using the parent-reported KINDL-R were confirmed. Means and percentiles were calculated for the total sample as well as for strata defined by age, sex, geographical region (east/west), migration status and socioeconomic status. Expected differences in health-related quality of life of children and adolescents from different social backgrounds and with different health statuses were demonstrated by differences in the KINDL-R scores (effect size d up to 1.29). CONCLUSION: This study provides representative, normative data (self-report and parent-report) on the test scores of health-related quality of life (KINDL-R) for the population of children and adolescents in Germany in general, as well as in sociodemographic and socioeconomic subpopulations.
Authors: Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer; Janine Devine; Katherine Bevans; Anne W Riley; Jeanhee Moon; John M Salsman; Christopher B Forrest Journal: J Clin Epidemiol Date: 2013-12-02 Impact factor: 6.437
Authors: Goetz C Mueller; Samir Sarikouch; Philipp Beerbaum; Alfred Hager; Karl-Otto Dubowy; Brigitte Peters; Thomas S Mir Journal: Pediatr Cardiol Date: 2012-12-20 Impact factor: 1.655
Authors: Luis Rajmil; Jorge A Palacio-Vieira; Michael Herdman; Sílvia López-Aguilà; Ester Villalonga-Olives; Josep M Valderas; Mireia Espallargues; Jordi Alonso Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2009-12-23 Impact factor: 3.186