Jeanet Bruil

KIDSCREEN-52 quality-of-life measure for children and adolescents

This study describes the development and reports the first psychometric results of the European KIDSCREEN-52 generic health-related quality-of-life questionnaire for children and adolescents. The KIDSCREEN-52, including ten dimensions, was applied in a European survey involving 12 countries (i.e., Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK) and 22,110 children and adolescents aged between 8 and 18 years of age. Questionnaire development included a literature search, expert consultation, and focus group discussions with children and adolescents. After definition of dimensions and collection of items, a translation process following international translation guidelines, cognitive interviews and a pilot test were performed. Analysis regarding psychometric properties showed Cronbach-α ranged from 0.77 to 0.89. Correlation coefficients between KINDLR and KIDSCREEN-52 dimensions were high for those assessing similar constructs (r = 0.51–0.68). All KIDSCREEN-52 dimensions showed a gradient according to socioeconomic status and most dimensions showed a gradient according to psychosomatic health complaints. The first results demonstrate that the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire is a promising cross-cultural measure of health-related quality-of-life assessment for children and adolescents in Europe.

THE KIDSCREEN-52 QUALITY OF LIFE MEASURE FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: PSYCHOMETRIC RESULTS FROM A CROSS-CULTURAL SURVEY IN 13 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

OBJECTIVE This study assesses the reliability and validity of the European KIDSCREEN-52 generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire for children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN The KIDSCREEN-52, which measures HRQoL in 10 dimensions, was administered to a representative sample of 22,827 children and adolescents (8 to 18 years) in 13 European countries. Psychometric properties were assessed using the Classical Test Theory approach, Rasch analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). A priori expected associations between KIDSCREEN scales and sociodemographic and health-related factors were examined. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 10 countries. RESULTS For the overall sample, Cronbachs alpha values ranged from 0.77 to 0.89. Scaling success (Multitrait Analysis Program) was >97.8% for all dimensions and Rasch analysis item fit (INFITmsq) ranged from 0.80 to 1.27. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.77. No sizeable differential item functioning (DIF) was found by age, sex or health status. Four items showed DIF across countries. The specified SEM fitted the data well (root mean square error of approximation: 0.06, comparative fit index: 0.98). Correlation coefficients between Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Child Health and Illness Profile-Adolescent Edition, and Youth Quality of Life Instrument scales and KIDSCREEN dimensions assessing similar constructs were moderate for those (r = 0.44 to 0.61). Statistically significant differences between children with and without physical and mental health problems (Children with Special Health Care Needs screener: d = 0.17 to 0.42, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: d = 0.32 to 0.72) were found in all dimensions. All dimensions showed a gradient according to socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS The KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire has acceptable levels of reliability and validity. Further work is needed to assess longitudinal validity and sensitivity to change.

Self-report form of the Child Health Questionnaire in a Dutch adolescent population

The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)-87-item child and adolescent self-report (CF87) is an increasingly used health-related quality-of-life instrument for measuring the self-perceived physical and psychosocial well-being of children aged 10 years and older. The aims of this study were to evaluate structure, reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the CHQ-CF87 among adolescents in the general Dutch population. Thus, the study extends the data on the psychometric properties of the instrument and reports on the underlying structure and the applicability of the summary score measures, both of which were not reported in previously published studies. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 1696 adolescents aged 12–15 years, the response rate was 78%. The mean age of the resulting sample was 14 years and approximately half were boys. A large majority (95.2%) of the subjects were born in The Netherlands, 21% reported a chronic health condition. Results demonstrated good internal consistency of items and scales, and discriminant and concurrent validity. Factor analysis at scale level supported the measurement model of the CHQ for the secondary factors of physical health and psychosocial health. Factor analysis at item level yielded somewhat less univocal results. It is concluded that further evaluation of the CHQ-CF is recommended. Meanwhile, the results, together with the results of earlier studies, suggest that the instrument can be used in pediatric outcome studies, provided practitioners and researchers are aware of the reported limitations.