Do 8- to 18-year-old children/adolescents with chronic physical health conditions have worse health-related quality of life than their healthy peers? a meta-analysis of studies using the KIDSCREEN questionnaires

This meta-analytic review aimed to estimate the magnitude of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) impairments, as assessed by the KIDSCREEN questionnaires, both self- and parent-reported, in 8- to 18-years-old children/adolescents with chronic health conditions.

Of the 21 studies, 16 used self-reports, one used parent-reports and four adopted a multi-informant approach. Self-reported data were retrieved from 20 studies (4852 cases/28,578 controls), and parent-reported data were retrieved from four studies (511 cases/433 controls). Pediatric patients presented significant HrQoL impairments in the domains of physical well-being (MD = − 4.84, 95% CI − 6.44/− 3.24 for self-reports; MD = − 6.86, 95% CI − 10.42/− 3.29 for parent-reports) and peers and social support (MD = − 1.29, 95% CI − 2.25/− 0.34 for self-reports; MD = − 3.90, 95% CI − 5.28/− 2.52 for parent-reports), compared to community/healthy peers. Between-studies heterogeneity was explained by diagnostic categories, instrument version and informants.

The identification of significant HrQoL impairments among pediatric patients, specifically in the physical and social domains, highlights the importance of routine psychosocial assessment and intervention in primary pediatric healthcare services. Specific recommendations include the use of profile measures, both self- and parent-reports, and the prioritization of oncology, endocrinology and neurology services.