Validating the shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) in a sample of children with drug-resistant epilepsy

Lauryn Conway; Elysa Widjaja; Mary Lou Smith; Kathy N Speechley; Mark A Ferro

doi:10.1111/epi.13697

Validating the shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) in a sample of children with drug-resistant epilepsy

Epilepsia. 2017 Apr;58(4):646-656. doi: 10.1111/epi.13697. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Authors

Lauryn Conway^{1

2}, Elysa Widjaja^{3

4}, Mary Lou Smith^{1

2}, Kathy N Speechley^{5

6}, Mark A Ferro⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
³ Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁷ School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 28199002
DOI: 10.1111/epi.13697

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the newly developed shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) in a sample of children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Methods: Data came from 136 children enrolled in the Impact of Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery on Health-Related Quality of Life Study (PEPSQOL), a multicenter prospective cohort study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the higher-order factor structure of the QOLCE-55. Convergent and divergent validity was assessed by correlating subscales of the KIDSCREEN-27 with the QOLCE-55. Measurement equivalence of the QOLCE-55 was evaluated using multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis of children with drug-resistant epilepsy from PEPSQOL versus children with new-onset epilepsy from HERQULES (Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study).

Results: The higher-order factor structure of the QOLCE-55 demonstrated adequate fit: Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.948; Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.946; Root Mean Square of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.060 (90% confidence interval [CI] 0.054-0.065); Weighted Root Mean Square Residuals (WRMR) = 1.247. Higher-order factor loadings were strong, ranging from λ = 0.74 to 0.81. Internal consistency reliability was excellent (α = 0.97, subscales α > 0.82). QOLCE-55 subscales demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with similar subscales of the KIDSCREEN-27 (ρ = 0.43-0.75) and weak to moderate correlations with dissimilar subscales (ρ = 0.25-0.42). The QOLCE-55 demonstrated partial measurement equivalence at the level of strict invariance - χ² (2,823) = 3,727.9, CFI = 0.961, TLI = 0.962, RMSEA = 0.049 (0.044, 0.053), WRMR = 1.834.

Significance: The findings provide support for the factor structure of the QOLCE-55 and contribute to its robust psychometric profile as a reliable and valid measure. Researchers and health practitioners should consider the QOLCE-55 as a viable option for reducing respondent burden when assessing health-related quality of life in children with epilepsy.

Keywords: Factor analysis; Health-related quality of life; Measurement equivalence; Pediatric epilepsy; Validity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Child, Preschool
Cohort Studies
Drug Resistant Epilepsy / diagnosis
Drug Resistant Epilepsy / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Quality of Life / psychology*
Reproducibility of Results
Surveys and Questionnaires*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding