Validation of the food allergy quality of life questionnaire series in Chinese families with food‐allergic children

Abstract

Background Anxiety from accidental exposure and vigilant dietary monitoring impair the quality of life (QoL) of food‐allergic patients. A comprehensive food allergy‐specific questionnaire allows patients to accurately report their QoL. This study validated the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ) series and assessed the QoL of Chinese food‐allergic patients and their caregivers. Methods FAQLQ series developed by EuroPrevall consists of four separate questionnaires for parents, children, adolescents and adults. All questionnaires were translated into traditional Chinese by standard forward and backward methods. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on food‐allergic patients and children's parents using an age‐appropriate questionnaire. The performance indices of FAQLQ and their correlation with independent measures of food allergy were analyzed, and factor analysis was performed to confirm the factor structure of FAQLQ questionnaires. Results Cross‐sectional validation was performed on 214 participants, with 40 reassessed for test–retest reliability. Overall scores for the FAQLQ series had good internal consistency with Cronbach's α ≥.90. Good construct validity was demonstrated by correlations between FAQLQ‐Parent Form, FAQLQ‐Child Form, FAQLQ‐Teenager Form, FAQLQ‐Adult Form and Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) scores, except in 0‐ to 3‐year‐old children. Test–retest analyses revealed a significant correlation between total FAQLQ score, parent‐reported FAIM and food anxiety domain in 4–6 years, and between total score and FAIM in 7–12 years. Exploratory factor analysis categorized items in the FAQLQ series into three to four domains. Conclusion FAQLQ series provide a valid and reliable measure for QoL in Chinese food‐allergic patients and caregivers, except for parents of children aged 0–3 years. Items for all FAQLQ questionnaires are categorized into different functional domains in our population.

Editorial on the virtual issue “Food allergy”

“…[6][7][8] Eating behavior disorders, anxiety, mood issues, stress, and poor quality of life often affect children and adolescents with food allergies, as several recent systematic reviews and original articles published by PAI showed. [9][10][11] Psychological support may reduce the patient's and family's distress and improve disease management and quality of life. Knibb et al 12 performed a systematic review to evaluate the current evidence on psychological support strategies in children with IgE-mediated food allergies.…”

“…Eating behavior disorders, anxiety, mood issues, stress, and poor quality of life often affect children and adolescents with food allergies, as several recent systematic reviews and original articles published by PAI showed 9–11 . Psychological support may reduce the patient's and family's distress and improve disease management and quality of life.…”