Citation

Rajmil L, Alonso J, Berra S, Ravens-Sieberer U, Gosch A, Simeoni MC, Auquier P. J. Adolesc. Health 2006; 38(5): 511-518.

Affiliation

Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research, Barcelona, Spain. lrajmil@aatrm.catsalut.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.05.022

PMID

16635761

Abstract

PURPOSE: To check if the expected association is observed between children and adolescents' self-perceived health-related quality of life (HRQL) and the use of health care services. METHODS: The data come from the pilot test of a European measure of HRQL for children and adolescents (KIDSCREEN). Children answered the KIDSCREEN 52-item pilot version. Visits to a health professional in the past four weeks and hospitalisation in the past 12 months were collected from parents. A logistic regression model was adjusted to analyse the relationship between the use of health services and HRQL. RESULTS: A total of 2526 children and their parents were included in the analysis. Factors associated to visits in the past four weeks were poor physical well-being (odds ratio OR 1.83; 95% confidence interval CI 1.42-2.35), and poor school environment (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.02-1.71). Low scores on moods and emotions was the associated factor to hospitalization in the past 12 months (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.29-3.81). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents are a feasible source for their self-assessment of HRQL. They should be taken into account in health care needs studies.

Language: en