EYE-Q may reliably assess vision-related quality of life in children with juvenile arthritis
TUESDAY, June 28 (HealthDay News) -- The Effects of Youngsters' Eyesight on Quality of Life (EYE-Q) instrument is a validated and reliable tool which may be useful for determining vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in visually impaired children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-U), according to a study published online June 15 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Sheila T. Angeles-Han, M.D., from Emory University in Atlanta, and colleagues investigated the validity and reliability of a new questionnaire to measure VRQOL in 120 children, aged 8 to 18 years with JIA-U. The EYE-Q was validated in several steps in children with or without ocular impairments. Experts and children (48 percent females) were interviewed regarding the impact of vision loss on children's daily activities. Based on these interviews, new items were developed, and relevant items were selected from existing questionnaires to develop an initial 20-item version of the EYE-Q. Early versions were administered to normal-sighted children and those with JIA-U. Visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity, EYE-Q, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were completed. The EYE-Q was repeated after 10 days and vision severity rated by patients, parents, and physicians.
The investigators found there was no visual impairment in 46.7 percent of the participants and bilateral eye involvement in 52 percent. Measures based on VA showed significant differences. The EYE-Q scores were significantly worse in patients with more severe VA and bilateral eye involvement. Significant associations were found between the EYE-Q and PedsQL (r = 0.375), repeat EYE-Q (r = 0.864), and clinical measures of ocular disease (r = −0.620).
"Our study provides evidence of the validity and reliability of the EYE-Q in the measurement of VRQOL, the authors write.
Two of the study authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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