7 research outputs found
Theoretical validity and reliability of Vespide Quality of Life Questionnaire in Polish adolescents with Hymenoptera venom allergy
Measurement of health-related quality of life is mostly used with advanced measurement tools, such
as scales. The use of a certain scale in different cultural settings or in age groups other than those it was designed
for needs conducting the adaptation process and assessment of psychometric properties of the adapted scale. This paper presents the results of theoretical validity and reliability analysis of the Polish adaptation of the
VQLQ scale for adolescents with Hymenoptera venom allergy. The study sample consisted of 78 adolescents aged 14-19 years, who were treated with venom immunotherapy in Polish allergological centers in 2008 year. Theoretical validity of the scale was analyzed with
exploratory factor analysis using the principal components method. Reliability analysis was assessed in terms of
internal consistency with Cronbach's α coefficient and by testing Kline's criterion. The results showed satisfactory validity of the scale: factor analysis revealed a 3-factor structure of the
scale - extracted factors were described as anxiety, caution and discomfort. All the scale items contributed to unique
factors, except for one item concerning limitation in summer due to allergy, which was identified as a separate
dimension of health-related quality of life of Polish adolescents with Hymenoptera venom allergy. All the extracted
subscales were characterized by values of α coefficient equal or higher than 0.8, what is usually considered as
a high-level reliability coefficient. The adapted scale is a valid and reliable tool measuring health-related quality of life in Polish adolescents treated with venom-specific immunotherapy
Health-related quality of life in Polish adolescents with "Hymenoptera" venom allergy treated with venom immunotherapy
Introduction: Venom allergy, though rare, may seriously influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is a paucity of research on HRQoL of adolescents and young adults with Hymenoptera venom allergy. The aim was to assess
the level of HRQoL and to evaluate its independent predictors in Polish adolescents and young adults treated with venom immunotherapy.
Material and methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study based on the Vespid
Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ) adapted for Polish adolescents was
used. The study sample included 87 patients (14-21 years) studied at different
stages of venom immunotherapy (VIT). Statistical analysis was done with multivariate linear regression.
Results: Anxiety level was higher in patients with 4th grade of Mueller’s classification (anaphylactic shock) than in those with 3rd grade (B = 0.84, 95% CI =
0.07-1.61, p = 0.03). Caution increased along with an increase of anxiety of adolescents treated with VIT (B = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.39-0.68, p < 0.01). Level of limitations increased with increasing caution of adolescents (B = 0.63, 95% CI =
0.35-0.91, p < 0.01). Discomfort increased along with a rise of caution of patients
(B = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.22-0.55, p < 0.01). Similarly, it increased with an increase
of their feeling of limitations (B = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.23-0.51, p < 0.01). The level
of discomfort in adolescents treated with VIT was lower in those who were treated with conventional protocol in comparison to those treated with rush or ultrarush ones (B = –0.47, 95% CI = –0.90 - –0.03, p = 0.04).
Conclusions: Severity of anaphylactic reaction is an independent determinant
of anxiety level in adolescents treated with VIT. The VIT protocol affects HRQoL
of treated patients