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Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a population-based sample of children and adolescents after 3 years of follow-up

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents over a 3-year period and to examine factors associated with change.

Methods

A representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents aged 8–18 years and their parents completed the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire at baseline and again after 3 years. Data were also collected on gender, pubertal development (PD), and family socio-economic status (SES). Change in HRQOL over time was evaluated using effect sizes (ES). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze associations among changes in KIDSCREEN scores, socio-demographic factors, and pubertal development.

Results

Response rate at follow-up was 54% (n = 454). Overall, HRQoL worsened in eight out of the ten KIDSCREEN dimensions, with ES ranging from −0.10 (Moods and Emotions) to −0.34 (Psychological Well-being). The decrease was most marked in the intermediate age group (13–17 years of age at follow-up) and in girls. In the GEE models, pubertal development more strongly impacted changes in girls than in boys.

Conclusions

In this representative, population-based sample of children and adolescents, moderate decrements in HRQoL were observed after 3 years. Changes were particularly important among girls and in relation to pubertal development. These results could provide useful reference data for other longitudinal studies in population sub-groups.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would specially like to thank the participating families in the KIDSCREEN follow-up study. This paper represents partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD program of Jorge A. Palacio Vieira at the Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain).

Funding: Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Health (contracts PI042504, PI042315).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research (CAHTA), Carrer de Roc Boronat, 81-95 (2a planta), 08005, Barcelona, Spain

    J. A. Palacio-Vieira, M. Espallargues, S. Berra & L. Rajmil

  2. CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain

    E. Villalonga-Olives, J. M. Valderas, M. Espallargues, M. Herdman, S. Berra, J. Alonso & L. Rajmil

  3. Health Services Research Unit, Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica (IMIM-Hospital del Mar), Barcelona, Spain

    E. Villalonga-Olives, J. M. Valderas, M. Herdman, J. Alonso & L. Rajmil

  4. National Primary Care Research and Development Center, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    J. M. Valderas

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  1. J. A. Palacio-Vieira
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  2. E. Villalonga-Olives
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  3. J. M. Valderas
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  6. S. Berra
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Correspondence to L. Rajmil.

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Palacio-Vieira, J.A., Villalonga-Olives, E., Valderas, J.M. et al. Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a population-based sample of children and adolescents after 3 years of follow-up. Qual Life Res 17, 1207–1215 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-008-9405-7

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