Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2009 Dec;29(4):242-248.

Development and Validation of the Questionnaire for Quality-of-Life Specific to Allergic Rhinitis in Korean Children (QQOL-ARK): A Multicenter Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND
A questionnaire for assessing the quality of life (QOL) of children with allergic rhinitis has not been developed in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
Our study was designed to develop and validate a Questionnaire for QOL Specific to Allergic Rhinitis in Korean Children (QQOL-ARK). METHOD: The QQOL-ARK consisted of 4 domains including 18 items with a 5-point scale: symptoms (3 items), physical factors (8 items), psychosocial factors (6 items) and prognosis (1 item). A survey with the QQOL-ARK was performed on 168 children with allergic rhinitis twice, 4 weeks apart. We analyzed their responsiveness, reproducibility and validity. RESULT: The mean score of QOL according to the severity showed a statistically significant difference between the first and second visits (P<0.01). The scores of QOL were decreased in the improved group (P<0.01) and increased in the worsen group (P<0.01). The differences in scores between the first and second visits showed a statistically significant difference in intergroup analysis (P<0.01). The QQOL-ARK also showed a good reproducibility (R=0.97). There was no strong correlation between QOL and clinical severity.
CONCLUSION
The QQOL-ARK showed a good reproducibility and validity. However, the assessment of reliability on 18 items of the questionnaire could not be performed. Although the items of this questionnaire are limited, they could provide the basis for the development of the QOL questionnaire for Korean children with allergic rhinitis in conjunction with clinical evaluation.

MeSH Terms

Child
Humans
Korea
Prognosis
Quality of Life
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Surveys and Questionnaires