Parent-reported outcomes in young children with disorders/differences of sex development

Development and validation of a short version of the quality of life-DSD questionnaire for parents of young children with conditions affecting sex development

Background

There is a paucity of information on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in parents and children with conditions affecting sex development. The objective of this study was to develop short forms of HRQoL questionnaires which consist of a 63-item and 25-item parent self-report (PSR) and parent proxy-report (PPR), respectively, optimizing use in routine clinical settings.

Methods

Short questionnaires were developed following exploratory factor analysis using raw data from 132 parents. Long and short PSRs were completed by 24 parents of children with conditions affecting sex development, with a median age of 3.6 years (range 0.1, 6.6); 21 (88%) were boys, and 11 (46%) had proximal hypospadias. A subset of 19 parents completed both long and short PPRs.

Results

Item selection, based on factor loadings of >0.8 and expert consultation, produced short PSRs and PPRs containing 16 and 7 items, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in 11 out of 12 (92%) scales on the PSR and 4 out of 5 (80%) scales on the PPR when comparing short and long questionnaire scores. The short and long questionnaires took <1 min and 5 min to complete, respectively. Eighteen parents (75%) reported that the time taken to complete the short questionnaires was acceptable; 10 (42%) preferred short questionnaires. Ten (42%) versus 6 (25%) stated a preference for completing the short versus long questionnaires.

Conclusion

The short versions were largely representative of the long questionnaires and are acceptable for evaluating psychosocial distress in young children and their caregivers. Further psychometric validation of the short forms is warranted.

Update on the management of a newborn with a suspected difference of sex development

Differences or disorders of sex development are a group of heterogeneous conditions, which most commonly present in the newborn period, with the appearance of atypical genitalia on newborn examination. Over recent years, the improvement in our knowledge of these conditions has been accompanied by advances in diagnostic technology and therapeutic options, as well as societal shifts in attitudes and expectations. These factors have placed an even greater emphasis than before on the need for early expert input through a multidisciplinary service that can support the patient and the family; perform and interpret the investigations required to reach a diagnosis; and formulate a management plan that lays down the foundation for optimal long-term outcome. While providing a regional service, the expert team should also be committed to research and quality improvement through participation in national and international networks.

Illness Uncertainty Longitudinally Predicts Distress Among Caregivers of Children Born With DSD

OBJECTIVE

A subset of parents of children with disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) including ambiguous genitalia experience clinically elevated levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Research indicates that uncertainty about their child's DSD is associated with parent psychosocial distress; however, previous studies have been cross-sectional or correlational in nature. The current study is the first to examine the longitudinal trajectory of the relationship between caregiver-perceived uncertainty about their child's DSD and caregiver anxious and depressive symptoms across the first 12 months following genital surgery in young children, or if surgery was not performed, the first 12 months following study entry.

METHODS

One hundred and thirteen caregivers (Mage = 32.12; 57.5% mothers; 72.6% Caucasian) of children (N = 70; Mage = 9.81 months; 65.7% female) with DSD were recruited from 12 DSD specialty clinics in the United States. Caregivers completed psychosocial measures at baseline, 6 and 12 months following genitoplasty, or study entry if parents elected not to have surgery for their child.

RESULTS

Caregiver illness uncertainty and both anxious and depressive symptoms were highest at baseline and decreased over time (ps < .05). Caregiver illness uncertainty predicted symptoms of anxious and depressive symptoms across all time points (ps < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers' perceptions of uncertainty about their child's DSD are highest soon after diagnosis, and uncertainty continues to predict both anxious and depressive symptoms across time. Thus, the initial diagnostic period is a critical time for psychological assessment and intervention, with parent illness uncertainty being an important clinical target.