title: The PedsQL in pediatric asthma: reliability and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory generic core scales and asthma module.
abstract: The PedsQL is a modular instrument designed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents ages 2-18. The PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales were developed to be integrated with the PedsQL Disease-Specific Modules. The PedsQL3.0 Asthma Module was designed to measure pediatric asthma-specific HRQOL. The PedsQL was administered to 529 families. Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated for the PedsQL 4.0 Total Score (alpha = 0.90 child, 0.91 parent report) and Asthma Module (average alpha = 0.71 child, 0.86 parent report). The PedsQL 4.0 distinguished between healthy children and children with asthma. The validity of the PedsQL Asthma Module was demonstrated through intercorrelations with a previously standardized asthma disease- specific instrument. Responsiveness was demonstrated through patient change over time as a result of clinical intervention. The results demonstrate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the PedsQL required for an outcome measure in pediatric asthma clinical trials and research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-3137, USA. jvarni@archone.tamu.edu
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Varni
authors.forename: Tasha M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Burwinkle
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rapoff
authors.forename: Jodi L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kamps
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires