Testing measurement properties of two EQ-5D youth versions and KIDSCREEN-10 in China

To assess measurement properties of the two youth versions of EQ-5D (i.e., 5-level EQ-5D-Y [Y-5L] and 3-level EQ-5D-Y [Y-3L]) and KIDSCREEN-10 in China.

Children and adolescents attending schools in Shanghai, China were recruited to self-complete the Y-5L, KIDSCREEN-10, and Y-3L questionnaires. Their feasibility was assessed according to missing responses. Convergent validity of the EQ-5D-Y dimensions, a summated dimension score [SDS], and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were assessed by examining their correlations with the KIDSCREEN-10 index score and dimensions. Known-groups validity of SDS, VAS, and KIDSCREEN-10 index score were tested by comparing the scores of pupils with and without two conditions (i.e., overweight and shortsightedness), and the relative efficiency (RE) between them was also evaluated.

A total of 262 pupils (girl: 58.4%; mean age: 12.7 years) were enrolled. Missing responses were low for both the Y-5L (0.3%) and Y-3L (2.4%), and KIDSCREEN-10 (0.3%). The overall ceiling effects were 40.3% for the Y-5L, 44.1% for the Y-3L and 1.1% for the KIDSCREEN-10. The SDS_Y-5L, SDS_Y-3L and VAS were moderately correlated with the KIDSCREEN-10 index score (|r|= 0.425 for SDS_Y-5L, 0.323 for SDS_Y-3L, and 0.435 for VAS; p < 0.01 for all). Similar EQ-5D-Y and KIDSCREEN-10 dimensions showed moderate to strong correlations (|r|> 0.3). Both the SDS_Y-5L and SDS_Y-3L had lower values, and VAS and KIDSCREEN-10 index score had higher values for pupils without shortsightedness compared with those for their counterparts. The difference was statistical significance for the SDS_Y-5L and VAS (P < 0.05 for both), which also had higher RE in the condition.

The Y-5L, Y-3L, and KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires are feasible and valid for measuring HRQoL among children/adolescents in China. It also appears that the advantages of Y-5L over Y-3L were modest.