Health-related quality-of-life measures for children

Abstract

Our purpose is to report the development and psychometric properties of a generic computer‐delivered measure of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) suitable for children aged 6 to 11 years, the Exeter HRQL scale (EHRQL). The theoretical model adopted is based on a definition of HRQL which assumes that HRQL is the result of discrepancies between an individual's actual self and ideal self. The EHRQL consists of 16 pictures, each of which is rated twice, first in terms of “like me” and second as “I would like to be”. The difference between these scores is assumed to be indicative of HRQL. The EHRQL is delivered using a Macintosh Powerbook and takes approximately 20 min. Data are reported for 60 children with asthma (mean age = 8.93 years) and 69 healthy children (mean age = 7.49 years). In addition, children with asthma completed the Childhood Asthma Questionnaire (CAQ) and a measure of self‐efficacy. For children with asthma, significant correlations were found between discrepancy scores and 3 of the 4 subscales of the CAQ. In addition, higher discrepancies were found for children with asthma compared with healthy children (p < 0.05). The EHRQL has acceptable internal reliability, and these data provide preliminary support for the theoretical assumption that HRQL reflects perceived discrepancies between an individual's actual self and ideal self. The measure also distinguished, as predicted, between children with asthma and healthy children. Methodological refinements to the EHRQL are suggested. Int. J. Cancer Suppl. 12:87–90, 1999. ©1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Quality of life in children: A critical examination of concepts, approaches, issues, and future directions

“…Yet others support a definition that underscores the physical, mental, and social aspects of well-being from the patient's perspective and/or other observers (Goldbeck & Schmitz, 2001;Sawyer et al, 2000). HRQOL has also been defined as the gap between the patient's actual and desired selves as a result of illness (Eiser, Cotter, Oades, Seamark, & Smith, 1999). These varying definitions notwithstanding, there are two central aspects inherent in most definitions of HRQOL in children (Eiser, Mohay, & Morse, 2001;Matza et al, 2004;Wallander, Schmitt, & Koot, 2001).…”

“…In contrast, appraisal of the meaning of health informs about subjective satisfaction with health-related aspects of life or how the child feels about his or her relative health states. Meaning-based approaches also tend to shift the perspective from what the child can or chooses to do to what the child perceives as a discrepancy between actual and ideal health states (Eiser et al, 1999). Second, based on the WHO (1948) definition of health, there is consensus that HRQOL is a multidimensional construct.…”

Evaluation of Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

“…The children with DM experience chronic psychosocial stress [5] and have higher rates of behavioral difficulties and lower social competency compared with healthy children [6,7], Therefore, it is important to improve the quality of life and well-being in order to prevent secondary morbidities and achieve good metabolic control during the management of diabetes [8]. Quality of life is considered to be a significant indicator of disease prognosis [9][10][11]. The aim of the present study was to compare the quality of life between type 1 diabetic and healthy children and to investigate the factors affecting the quality of life in diabetic patients.…”

Effect of Pneumococcal Vaccination on Quality of Life in Children With Recurrent Acute Otitis Media: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

“…Assessment of such outcome is important, especially because RAOM may be considered a chronic illness, and HRQoL and FHS are assumed to be particularly relevant as outcome measures. [30][31][32] In 1998 we started a randomized, controlled trial on the effects of pneumococcal versus control vaccination in children 1 to 7 years old who had suffered from RAOM. This article focuses on the effects of pneumococcal vaccination versus control vaccination on FHS and HRQoL.…”