Performance of the Experimental EuroQol Toddler and Infant Populations (EQ-TIPS) and PedsQL in Infants and Toddlers with a Health Condition

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Background Health-related quality of life measurement in infants and toddlers is increasingly important, but generic preference-weighted instruments lack evidence. This study compared the experimental EuroQol Toddler and Infant Populations (EQ-TIPS) and PedsQL in children 0 to 4 years. Methods EQ-TIPS-3L v2.0 and PedsQL response distributions were compared by frequency. Item and dimension/summary score associations were computed using Pearson and intra-class correlation coefficient. Age and severity groups (EQ VAS ≥80) were compared with Mann-Whitney U tests. Results Cross-sectional data from 260 children were analyzed: 0 to 24 months (n = 111) and 2 to 4 years (n = 149). Most caregivers were mothers, spending significantly more time (≥10 hours) with younger children χ2 = 18.12, P = .001). The EQ-TIPS-3L had the highest problems with eating (27%-31%) and pain (23%-25%) across age groups, with minimal missing data (≤1%). Younger children most frequently had problems with PedsQL: “tired” (54%), “resting a lot” (52%), “crying or fussing when left alone” (61%) and “difficulty soothing when upset” (51%). Older children’s main problems were “hurts or aches” (54%), “afraid or scared” (53%), “sad or blue” (50%), “angry” (64%) and “missing school” (56%-65%). All 3 of the PedsQL school items had missing data for older children (27%-30%). Hypothesized item correlations were reached for 30 of 35 and 11 of 12 items in the younger and older groups, respectively. EQ-TIPS-3L LSS showed moderate to strong correlations with all PedsQL scores except for cognitive (0-24 months) and school functioning (2-4 years). Both measures significantly differentiated by severity groups (EQ VAS ≥80) but not by age group. Conclusion Both measures showed similar response distributions despite different time frames and response scales. EQ-TIPS-3L eating and pain reported high problems, with eating strongly associated only with PedsQL physical symptoms. The 2- to 4-year PedsQL version had many missing school functioning items; the 13- to 24-month PedsQL may suit older 2- to 4-year-olds better. Low association between PedsQL cognitive functioning and EQ-TIPS-3L suggests further research is needed on this potentially missing construct.

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