van der Velde JL, Flokstra-de Blok BMJ, de Groot H, Oude-Elberink JNG, Kerkhof M, Duiverman EJ, Dubois AEJ. Food allergy-related quality of life after double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges in adults, adolescents, and children.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012;
130:1136-1143.e2. [PMID:
22835403 DOI:
10.1016/j.jaci.2012.05.037]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Currently, the longitudinal validity (validity over time) and responsiveness (ability to measure change over time) of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Adult Form (FAQLQ-AF), the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Teenager Form (FAQLQ-TF), and the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Child Form (FAQLQ-CF) are unknown. Additionally, the self-reported impact of a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adults (≥18 years of age), adolescents (13-17 years of age), and children (8-12 years of age) is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to assess the longitudinal validity and responsiveness of the FAQLQ-AF, FAQLQ-TF, and FAQLQ-CF and to assess the impact of a DBPCFC on HRQL.
METHODS
Two hundred twenty-one participants suspected of food allergy were included from Dutch allergy centers. Participants undergoing a DBPCFC (experimental group) completed the FAQLQ and Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) 1 month before (baseline) and 6 months after (follow-up) a DBPCFC. Participants not undergoing a DBPCFC (control group) completed the questionnaire package twice with a 7-month interval.
RESULTS
HRQL scores improved after a DBPCFC, with greater improvements in HRQL scores after a negative outcome (food allergy ruled out) than a positive outcome (food allergy confirmed), demonstrating responsiveness of the FAQLQs. Significant correlations were shown between the change (follow-up minus baseline) in FAQLQ and FAIM scores supporting longitudinal validity of these questionnaires: FAQLQ-AF (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.71, P < .001), FAQLQ-TF (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.35, P = .018), and FAQLQ-CF (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.51, P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate the longitudinal validity and responsiveness of the FAQLQs. Greater improvements in HRQL scores were shown after a negative outcome than after a positive outcome.
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