Purpose
In childhood intermittent XT the frequency and type of symptoms has
not been rigorously studied. We aimed to identify specific symptoms in
children with intermittent XT, their frequency, and effects on
health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Methods
35 children (5–13 years) with intermittent XT, without
previous surgery were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Specific
symptoms were identified from a previous study involving child and parent interviews and formulated as a 22-item
symptom questionnaire. A frequency Likert-type rating scale was used and a
response of “sometimes” or more was considered consistent
with having the symptom. All 35 children, along with one parent for each
child, also completed the patient-derived intermittent XT HRQOL
questionnaire (IXTQ) with Child, Proxy and Parent components. The frequency
of symptoms was calculated, and the relationship between individual symptom
question scores and Child, Proxy and Parent HRQOL scores, was evaluated in
multivariate linear regression analyses.
Results
The mean number of specific symptoms was 7 (range 2 to 19). The most
frequently reported were: rubbing the eye (29 [83%] of 35), problems
with eyes in the sun and the eyes feeling tired (each 22, 63%).
Lower (worse) Child IXTQ HRQOL scores were associated with symptoms of
difficulty focusing eyes (P=0.0007), double vision
(P=0.007), eyes hurting (P=0.006), and
problems with eyes in the sun (P=0.06). There were weak
associations between Proxy IXTQ and Parent IXTQ scores and child
symptoms. Overall, 7 symptom questions were associated with reduced HRQOL in multivariate models.
Conclusion
Children with intermittent XT frequently experience symptoms, some of
which impact the child’s HRQOL. Formal assessment of symptoms may
aid understanding of the effects of intermittent XT on an individual child,
and could use just the seven symptom questions associated with reduced
HRQOL.