Quality of life (QoL) evaluation of children using cochlear implants : agreement between pediatric and parent proxy-QoL reports

Hendriksma, Martine; Bruijnzeel, Hanneke; Bezdjian, Aren; Kay-Rivest, Emily; Daniel, Sam J.; Topsakal, Vedat

doi:10.1080/14670100.2020.1788858

Title

Quality of life (QoL) evaluation of children using cochlear implants : agreement between pediatric and parent proxy-QoL reports

Author

Hendriksma, Martine

Bruijnzeel, Hanneke

Bezdjian, Aren

Kay-Rivest, Emily

Daniel, Sam J.

Topsakal, Vedat

Abstract

Objectives: Cochlear implants are known to significantly improve the quality of life (QoL) of implanted children. However, variability exists between self-reported outcomes and parental-reported QoL questionnaires. We evaluated the QoL agreement between children and their parents following cochlear implantation and determined which factors lead to increased agreement. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed including pediatric cochlear implant recipients and their parents. We evaluated postoperative QoL using The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). To assess agreement between pediatric and parental QoL perception, PedsQL intra-class correlations (ICCs) were calculated. Results: Thirty-five children and their parents completed QoL questionnaires. Children who were evaluated between 8-12 years of age reported highest absolute total and subscale PedsQL scores. Highest agreement was found amongst parents and children when: (1) children were between 8-12 years at QoL assessment (ICC: between 0.917[95%CI: 0.676-0.981] and 0.972[95%CI: 0.882-0.994]), and (2) when evaluating the physical health QoL domain (ICC: 0.964[95%CI: 0.849-0.992]). Conclusions: This study demonstrates high agreement (ICC > 0.8) between pediatric and parental QoL report in children aged between 8-12 years at QoL assessment. Therefore, results confirm that: (1) QoL agreement between pediatric self-report and parent proxy-report is high in chronically ill children and (2) children using cochlear implants can reliably report QoL between 8-12 years.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Cochlear implants international. - London, 2000, currens

Publication

London : 2020

ISSN

1467-0100 [print]

1754-7628 [online]

DOI

10.1080/14670100.2020.1788858

Volume/pages