Measuring health-related quality of life with the EQ-5D-Y instrument in children and adolescents with asthma

AimAsthma is one of the most common chronic paediatric diseases worldwide and affects different dimensions of health-related quality of life. This study tested the feasibility and convergent validity of using the EQ-5D-Y instrument on children and adolescents with asthma. MethodsA cross-sectional design was chosen, and children with asthma, aged from 8 to 16years, were recruited from clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. To test convergent validity, the EQ-5D-Y instrument was combined with the Paediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire. ResultsThe EQ-5D-Y proved feasible as nearly 96% of the 94 respondents completed all items on the questionnaire. High and moderate correlations between the two instruments were found for the dimensions of doing usual activities' and activity limitations' and for having pain or discomfort' and symptoms'. The visual analogue scale of the ED-5D-Y correlated with the Paediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire total score and the self-rated health question. The dimensions on the EQ-5D-Y with most reported problems were usual activities', pain or discomfort' and worried, sad or unhappy'. ConclusionThe EQ-5D-Y instrument seemed to provide feasibility and convergent validity for measuring health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with asthma.