Population health status based on the EQ-5D-Y-3L among adolescents in Sweden: Results by sociodemographic factors and self-reported comorbidity

Abstract

PurposeThe EQ-5D-Y-3L is a generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure developed for youth from 8 years old. The aim of this study is to present population health status, based on the EQ-5D-Y-3L, among adolescents in Sweden, by sex, age, self-reported comorbidity and parents’ occupational status.MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional total survey among students, aged 13–18 years, in a Swedish County year 2014. The survey included EQ-5D-Y-3L, questions regarding self-reported health, disease, functional impairment and mental distress. Parents’ occupational status was used as a proxy for socio-economic status.ResultsA total of 6574 participants answered all the EQ-5D-Y-3L dimensions (mean age was 15.9 years, same proportion of boys and girls). Girls reported more problems than boys in the dimensions ‘doing usual activities’, ‘having pain or discomfort’ and ‘feeling worried, sad or unhappy’, and lower mean VAS score. Respondents with one or both parents unemployed reported more problems with usual activities, pain/discomfort and in the mood dimension than those with both parents employed. Those with comorbidity had in general more problems in all dimensions and lower mean VAS score. The highest impact on VAS score was found for adolescents who reported that they always felt depressed.ConclusionsSex, age, self-reported comorbidity and parents’ occupational status were associated with HRQoL determined by the EQ-5D-Y-3L in the general population of adolescents. The ability of EQ-5D-Y-3L to distinguish adolescents’ health status based on these factors confirms the instrument’s usefulness in assessment of HRQoL and as guidance for prioritization.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11136-018-1985-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Neurodevelopmental difficulties negatively affect health‐related quality of life in children with idiopathic clubfoot

“…Our findings support the notion that perception of overall health status, when measured with the EQ VAS, is similar to the general population in children and adolescents with confirmed deformities or disorders . Contrary to previous research in IC and Swedish adolescents , but in line with other studies of HRQoL in paediatric populations , we did not find a sex effect on HRQoL. Similarly, HRQoL showed no relationship to clubfoot laterality.…”

“…Furthermore, children with IC reported both comparable overall health status on the EQ VAS to unaffected peers, as well as higher overall health status compared with children with asthma, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, hearing disabilities, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and cerebral palsy . Finally, the EQ VAS scores were comparable with findings of the general population in Swedish children and adolescents . Hence, we consider the high overall health status and the relative high degree of mobility and participation found in our IC sample generally to be a satisfying HRQoL outcome.…”

“…The EQ‐5D‐Y has demonstrated feasibility, reliability and validity in multicentre studies in Europe and South Africa . Population‐based and clinical studies, including children with functional disabilities, support the validity of this scale for evaluation of HRQoL .…”

“…Data was collected regarding sex, birth dates in order to calculate age, family demographics and possible disorders and disabilities; the latter to validate clubfoot diagnostics. Caregivers were inquired of their educational level, with the objective to rate socio‐economic status and birth country, since those parameters have been found to affect reported health status . In addition, caregivers to children with IC answered the Roye's Disease Specific Instrument regarding their perspective of the clubfoot treatment outcome.…”

“…These findings suggest some yet unknown connection between the musculoskeletal deformity and NDD. Since HRQoL has been found to be affected in children with mental and behavioural disorders as well as adolescents with comorbidities , the increased co‐occurring of NDD could imply a possible impact on HRQoL in children with IC. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to measure HRQoL in children with conservatively treated IC and to examine the influence of sex, clubfoot laterality and NDD on HRQoL.…”