The Minneapolis-Manchester quality of life instrument: Reliability and validity of the youth form

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.02.034

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 145, Issue 1, July 2004, Pages 39-46

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.02.034 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

Improvements in survival after childhood cancer have increased emphasis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of survivors. We developed the Minneapolis-Manchester Quality of Life-Youth Form (MMQL-YF) as a standardized patient self-report instrument designed to assess HRQoL in childhood cancer survivors between the ages of 8 and 12 years.

Study design

To validate the instrument, the MMQL-YF was administered to 643 children (481 healthy, 162 with cancer). Factor analysis was conducted to refine the instrument, and Cronbach's α coefficient was used to measure its internal reliability. Known-groups validity was determined by comparing healthy children with those with cancer. Construct validity was studied by a comparison of similar domains in the MMQL-YF and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Stability was tested by re-administration of the MMQL-YF 2 weeks later.

Results

Internal consistency reliability was in the acceptable range for this instrument. The MMQL-YF was able to distinguish between known groups, and its scales correlated highly with similar CHQ domains. Test-retest reliability showed that the instrument was extremely stable in all scales tested.

Conclusion

Data provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the MMQL-YF as a comprehensive, multidimensional, self-report instrument for measuring HRQoL among childhood cancer survivors.

Section snippets

MMQL-Youth form instrument development

The MMQL was developed in two versions, for developmental needs of different age groups. The “youth” version (MMQL-YF) was developed for children between the ages of 8 and 12 years and is interview based. The “adolescent” version (MMQL-Adolescent Form) was developed for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 20 years and is self-administered.¹⁷ The two versions contain similar information in the common domains studied, and they differ primarily in the developmentally appropriate language in

Results

Table I shows the demographics of the 643 children who participated: 481 healthy subjects, 72 on-therapy cancer patients, and 90 off-therapy cancer patients. The median time off therapy was 5.0 years (range, 1.9-12.5 years). Analysis of the data revealed no statistically significant difference in sex or age for those with and without cancer. Participants with cancer were less likely to be white (68% vs 84%).

Discussion

The physical and psychological consequences of childhood cancer and its treatment are likely to affect the HRQoL of childhood cancer survivors. The importance of assessing HRQoL in this population, with the ultimate goal of minimizing the negative consequences of childhood cancer and its treatment on survivors, is now recognized widely. Self-report measures have been developed for children that are multidimensional and include generic and cancer-specific measures. These instruments are broadly

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the contribution of Gwen Uman, PhD, for her statistical assistance.

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^☆: Supported in part by the Children's Oncology Group grant 1 U10 CA098543-01.

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Original ArticleThe Minneapolis-Manchester quality of life instrument: Reliability and validity of the youth form☆

Abstract

Objective

Study design

Results

Conclusion

Section snippets

MMQL-Youth form instrument development

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgements

The first ten years of the World Health Organization

Quality-of-life research in Pediatric Oncology Group: 1991-1995

J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr

Developing a measure of health outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer: a review of the issues

Med Pediatr Oncol

Children's symptom and social functioning self-report scales: comparison of mother's and children's reports

J Nerv Mental Dis

Manual for the child behavior checklist and the revised child behavior profile

The measurement of performance in childhood cancer patients

Cancer

Conceptualization and measurement of health for children in the health insurance study

Adolescent health status measurement: development of the Child Health and Illness Profile

Pediatrics

The Child Health Questionnaire: a user's manual

Development and validation of the pediatric oncology and quality of life scale

Psychol Assess

Development of a measure to assess the perceived illness experience after treatment for cancer

Arch Dis Child

A comprehensive multiattribute system for classifying the health status of survivors of childhood cancer

J Clin Oncol

Application of a modified multiattribute system in the assessment of health status in survivors of cancer

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol

An assessment of global health status in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol

The Pediatric Cancer Quality of Life Inventory-32 (PCQL-32),I: reliability and validity

Cancer

Original Article
The Minneapolis-Manchester quality of life instrument: Reliability and validity of the youth form☆