[Validity and reliability of the spanish EQ-5D-Y proxy version]

Abstract

Introduction: A proxy version of the EQ-5D-Y, a questionnaire to evaluate the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents, has recently been developed. There are currently no data on the validity and reliability of this tool. The objective of this study was to analyze the validity and reliability of the EQ-5D-Y proxy version.

Methodology: A core set of self-report tools, including the Spanish version of the EQ-5D-Y were administered to a group of Spanish children and adolescents drawn from the general population. A similar core set of internationally standardized proxy tools, including the EQ-5D-Y proxy version were administered to their parents. Test-retest reliability was determined, and correlations with other generic measurements of HRQoL were calculated. Additionally, known group validity was examined by comparing groups with a priori expected differences in HRQoL. The agreement between the self-report and proxy version responses was also calculated.

Results: A total of 477 children and adolescents and their parents participated in the study. One week later, 158 participants completed the EQ-5D-Y/EQ-5D-Y proxy to facilitate reliability analysis. Agreement between the test-retest scores was higher than 88% for EQ-5D-Y self-report, and proxy version. Correlations with other health measurements showed similar convergent validity to that observed in the international EQ-5D-Y. Agreement between the self-report and proxy versions ranged from 72.9% to 97.1%.

Conclusions: The results provide preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of the EQ-5D-Y proxy version.

Keywords: Calidad de vida; Cuestionario; EQ-5D-Y; Evaluación; Evaluation; Measurement; Medida; Quality of life; Questionnaire.