Health-related quality of life in children with untreated intermittent exotropia and their parents

Abstract

To determine whether health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores improved or worsened over 3years of observation in childhood intermittent exotropia without treatment. A total of 111 children aged 3-11years with intermittent exotropia were assigned to observation in a previously reported randomized trial comparing patching with observation. The intermittent exotropia questionnaire (IXTQ) was administered at baseline, 6months, and 36months. Rasch-calibrated IXTQ domain scores (Child, Proxy, Parent-psychosocial, Parent-function, and Parent-surgery) were compared between time points. The Child IXTQ was administered only to children ≥5years of age (n=78). Overall, Child IXTQ and Proxy IXTQ scores showed no significant change over 36months (mean improvement from baseline to 36months of 3.2 points [95% CI, -1.9 to 8.2] and -2.4 points [95% CI: -7.9 to 3.1], resp.). By contrast, Parent-psychosocial, Parent-function, and Parent-surgery domain scores all improved over 36months (mean improvements of 12.8 points [95% CI, 5.9-19.6] and 14.2 points [95% CI, 8.0-20.3] and 18.5 points [95% CI, 9.7-27.3], resp.). HRQOL of children with intermittent exotropia remains stable with observation over 3years (by both child and proxy report), whereas parental HRQOL improves.