Generic health-related quality of life instruments in children and adolescents: a qualitative analysis of content
Authors:
Rajmil, L., Herdman, M., Fernandez de Sanmamed, M. J., Detmar, S., Bruil, J., Ravens-Sieberer, U., Bullinger, M., Simeoni, M. C., and Auquier, P.
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To determine the extent of differences and similarities in content between heath-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments for children and adolescents.
METHODS: A descriptive and explanatory qualitative approach was carried out. Instruments specifically designed for use with children or adolescents were included. To assure the validity of the findings a triangulation of the analysis and "member checking" were performed.
RESULTS: Ten questionnaires were analyzed. All of them included items referring to physical, psychological, and social aspects of health. A relatively low number of categories explained the content of the questionnaires.
CONCLUSIONS: A reasonably coherent notion of HRQOL underlies instruments available for children and adolescents. HRQOL measurement in young people is still in its developmental step.
DOI:
Journal:
J Adolesc Health
issn:
1054-139X (Print)
Publication year:
2004
pages:
37-45
General health perceptions / HRQoL:
Health-related quality of life
Age:
Children (0-18)
Disease:
Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period and related symptoms Certain infections and parasitic diseases and related symptoms Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities and related symptoms Diseases of and symptoms related to the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism Diseases of and symptoms related to the circulatory system Diseases of and symptoms related to the digestive system Diseases of and symptoms related to the ear and mastoid process Diseases of and symptoms related to the eye and adnexa Diseases of and symptoms related to the genitourinary system Diseases of and symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue Diseases of and symptoms related to the nervous system Diseases of and symptoms related to the respiratory system Diseases of and symptoms related to the skin and subcutaneous tissue Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and related symptoms External causes of morbidity and mortality Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes Mental and behavioural disorders and related symptoms Neoplasms and related symptoms Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
