Brief report: a quality of life instrument for adolescents with growth disorders

J Adolesc. 2005 Aug;28(4):595-600. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.11.003.

Abstract

This study assessed the psychometric properties of a recently developed health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument (Vécu et Santé Perçue de l'Adolescent -Malade, VSP-AM) in 172 adolescents receiving growth hormone. The VSP-AM was cross-culturally adapted into English and tested for internal consistency (alpha=0.78-0.89 subscales, 0.74 Summary Score), construct and criterion validity, and responsiveness. Correlations with other scales demonstrated convergent validity. Adolescents who reported HRQOL as high or low had significantly different scores (all p<0.001). Adolescents receiving growth hormone therapy differed significantly from adolescents with medical, surgical or psychiatric disorders. The VSP-AM shows reliability and validity for HRQOL measurement in adolescents with growth disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Growth Disorders / drug therapy
  • Growth Disorders / epidemiology
  • Growth Disorders / psychology*
  • Health Status
  • Human Growth Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Self Concept
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone