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

ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsChildren 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.ResultsA 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 SDSY-5L, SDSY-3L and VAS were moderately correlated with the KIDSCREEN-10 index score (|r|= 0.425 for SDSY-5L, 0.323 for SDSY-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 SDSY-5L and SDSY-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 SDSY-5L and VAS (P < 0.05 for both), which also had higher RE in the condition.ConclusionsThe 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.