Validation of the Ukrainian version of the PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scales in children and adolescents with vasovagal syncope

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Ukrainian translation of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales for Ukrainian children and adolescents with vasovagal syncope, as well as to study health-related quality of life in this group of paediatric patients. Materials and methods: We studied 56 children, aged eight to 17 years, with a history of vasovagal syncope, and 41 healthy volunteers. Health-related quality of life assessment was performed using the Ukrainian version of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales for child self-reporting and parent proxy-reporting. Results: There were no significant floor or ceiling effects for any of the summary or scale scores for patient self-reporting and parent proxy-reporting. Cronbach’s α coefficient for PedsQL total score for patient self-reporting was 0.90, and for parent proxy-reporting it was 0.88. Paediatric patients with vasovagal syncope (67.92 ±14.52; 77.36 ±21.73; p = 0.01) and their parents (65.13 ±13.94; 71.77 ±13.76; p = 0.02) reported worse PedsQL total scores than healthy children. According to the results of exploratory factor analysis, almost all items of child self-reporting and parent proxy-reporting had a clear factor loading. Regarding construct validity, the results revealed a positive linear relationship between the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and Modified Calgary Syncope Seizure Score, PedsQL™ General Well-Being Scale, and PedsQL™ Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Calculation of Pearson’s correlation index revealed moderate (0.41–0.60) to good (0.61–0.80) child-parent agreement. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the feasibility, reliability, validity, and agreement between child self-reporting and parent proxy-reporting of the Ukrainian version of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales for health-related quality of life assessment in children and adolescents with vasovagal syncope. These patients have lower psychosocial health, emotional functioning, and social functioning in comparison to healthy children and adolescents.