Clinical evaluation of the short-form pediatric enuresis module to assess quality of life

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the German version of the Pediatric Enuresis Module to assess Quality of Life, Short Form (PEMQOL-SF) in a sample of parents of children with urinary incontinence. The parents of 88 children (63 male, 25 female, mean age: 9.3 [SD ± 2.5, range 6-18] years) with urinary incontinence were asked to complete the PEMQOL-SF. For evaluation of convergence validity, parents and children completed the respective versions of the DCGM-10 and the PinQ questionnaire. Mean PEMQOL-SF scores were 72.2 [SD ± 14.1] (child impact scale) and 73.7 [SD ± 16.5] (family impact scale). The PEMQOL-SF had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.68 (child impact scale) and 0.80 (family impact scale), respectively. PEMQOL-SF child [family] impact scale scores correlated with the DCGM-10 with scores of r = 0.34 (r = 0.13; self-report version) and r = 0.63 (r = 0.48; proxy version) and with the PinQ with scores of r = -0.31 (r = -0.16; self-report version) and r = -0.63 (r = -0.54; proxy version), respectively. The psychometric properties of the PEMQOL-SF were good for the family impact scale, but poor for the child impact scale. In its present form, the PEMQOL-SF cannot be recommended for routine clinical use. Nevertheless, a reduction of questionnaire items could lead to better psychometric properties.