Research

Health-related quality of life for pediatric emergency department febrile illnesses: an Evaluation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 generic core scales

Rakesh D Mistry^1,3 , Molly W Stevens² and Marc H Gorelick²

¹  Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

²  Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

³  Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Emergency Medicine, 34th Street and Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104

author email corresponding author email

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2009, 7:5doi:10.1186/1477-7525-7-5

Published:	29 January 2009

Abstract

Objective

We sought to assess the validity and short-term responsiveness of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™) for febrile illnesses evaluated in the pediatric emergency department (ED).

Design

Prospective cohort study of children 2–18 years discharged after ED evaluation for fever (≥ 38°C). Self-administered, parent-report of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the PedsQL™ Acute Version, a validated HRQOL instrument. HRQOL was measured on ED presentation and at 7–10 day follow-up. At follow-up, duration of fever, child functional impairment, missed daycare/school, and disrupted family unit functioning, were assessed.

Results

Of 160 subjects enrolled, 97 (61%) completed the study; mean follow-up was 8.7 days. Mean total HRQOL score on ED presentation was 76.4; mean follow-up score was 86.3. Compared to subjects that returned to baseline, statistically significant differences in HRQOL were noted for those with prolonged fever, child functional impairment, and relapse. Significant correlation was observed between HRQOL at follow-up and days of daycare/school missed (r = -0.35, p = .003) and days of family disruption (r = -0.43, p < .001). Mean change in HRQOL within subjects, from ED visit to follow-up, was +9.8 (95% CI: 5.6–14.6). Effect size was 0.53, indicating moderate responsiveness.

Conclusion

The PedsQL™ appears to be a valid and responsive indicator of HRQOL for short-term febrile illnesses evaluated in the ED.