The Use Of EQ5D For Assessment Of Health Related Quality Of Life And Its Determinants In Children With Complex...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Quality of Life Research
• Health Outcomes Assessment

Background:

• Routine Quality of Life (QoL) assessment is underutilized in pediatric endocrinology.
• Further exploration is needed to establish effective QoL measurement tools in this field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and utility of the EQ5D questionnaire for assessing QoL in pediatric endocrine patients.
• To determine the association between QoL scores and the complexity of the patients' conditions.

Main Methods:

• 216 pediatric patients completed 227 EQ5D questionnaires, assessing five dimensions and overall health via a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
• Data on presenting complaints, clinical outcomes, and healthcare utilization (number of specialties) were collected.
• The study period was October 2022 to December 2023.

Main Results:

• Median VAS score was 90/100, with median Dimensions scores of 6/15 (<16 yrs) and 7/15 (>16 yrs).
• A negative association was found between VAS and Dimensions scores, particularly in older patients (r=-0.64, p=0.002).
• Patients with early puberty reported the best scores, while those with excess weight reported the worst. Increased specialty involvement correlated with worse QoL (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• The EQ5D is a viable tool for QoL assessment in pediatric endocrinology.
• EQ5D scores demonstrate a clear association with the burden of illness and condition complexity.
• Routine use of EQ5D could enhance the management of pediatric endocrine conditions.