Article

Our aims were to (1) describe the conceptual basis of popular generic
instruments according to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of
functioning, disability, and health (FDH), and quality of life (QOL) with
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as a subcomponent of QOL; (2) map the
instruments to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health (ICF); and (3) provide information on how the analyzed instruments were
used in the literature. This should enable users to make valid choices about
which instruments have the desired content for a specific context or purpose.
METHOD: Child health-based literature over a 5-year period was reviewed to find
research employing health status and QOL/HRQOL instruments. WHO definitions of
FDH and QOL were applied to each item of the 15 most used instruments to
differentiate measures of FDH and QOL/HRQOL. The ICF was used to describe the
health and health-related content (if any) in those instruments. Additional
aspects of instrument use were extracted from these articles. RESULTS: Many
instruments that were used to measure QOL/HRQOL did not reflect WHO definitions
of QOL. The ICF domains within instruments were highly variable with respect to
whether body functions, activities and participation, or environment were
emphasized. INTERPRETATION: There is inconsistency among researchers about how to
measure HRQOL and QOL. Moreover, when an ICF content analysis is applied, there
is variability among instruments in the health components included and
emphasized. Reviewing content is important for matching instruments to their
intended purpose.
CI - (c) The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (c) 2012 Mac Keith
Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS