Portuguese version of Parent-reported Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-DrHy-Q): assessment of reliability and validity

Abstract

Background. Drug hypersensitivity in children impacts the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. The parent-reported drug hypersensitivity quality of life questionnaire (P-DrHy-Q), the first disease-specific quali-ty-of-life questionnaire for caregivers who have children with drug hypersen-sitivity, was recently developed. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the P-DrHy-Q. Methods. A translation of the Parent-reported Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-DrHy-Q) to the Portuguese population was performed, assessing its applicability in 74 caregivers from two allergy departments. The analyses included internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test–retest re-liability: 14 caregivers completed the P-DrHy-Q without any intervention one week after answering the first questionnaire. Results. The 12-item scale assessed the mental health and social activity. The internal consistency of the scale was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.884), and the test-retest associations were excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.985; p < 0.001). The mean value of the questionnaire was 37.01 (SD 18.57), with Mental Health being more affected than Social Activity. Employed caregivers had a significant higher score (p < 0.001). No other factor was statistically significant. Conclusions. The Portuguese version of the P-DrHy-Q is valid for evaluat-ing quality of life impairment in Portuguese caregivers of children with drug hypersensitivity. Its application might be relevant for future research and provide clinicians and researchers with a tool to define which psychosocial sup-port is required to provide more comprehensive care in drug hypersensitivity.