Measurement equivalence of the short-form Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-16)

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess measurement equivalence in the 16-item short-form Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-16) across age, sex, and time in a sample of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy. MethodsData came from 373 children participating in the Health-related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES), a multicenter prospective cohort study. Measurement equivalence was assessed using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis methods. Comparison groups were stratified by age (4–7 years vs. 8–12 years), sex (male vs. female), and time (at diagnosis vs. 24 months postdiagnosis). ResultsThe QOLCE-16 demonstrated measurement equivalence at the level of strict invariance for each comparison group tested — age: χ2 (3, 274) = 429.6, p < 0.001; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.985; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.056 (0.046, 0.066); sex: χ2 (3, 271) = 430.5, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.057 (0.047, 0.067); and time: χ2 (3, 269) = 566.4, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.985; RMSEA = 0.059 (0.052, 0.066). SignificanceThe findings provide support for the robust psychometric profile of the QOLCE-16 as a reliable and valid measure of health-related quality of life for children with epilepsy. Demonstrating good properties and a multidimensional structure, the QOLCE-16 is an appropriate short measure for both clinicians and researchers wanting to obtain health-related quality of life information on children with epilepsy.