Quality of Life of Latino and Non-Latino Youth With Sickle Cell Disease as Reported by Parents and Youth

Abstract

Introduction

Approximately 10% to 15% of people affected by sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States are Latino, many of whom are primary Spanish speakers. A key tool for self-reported outcome measures, the Pediatric QOL Inventory (PedsQL) SCD module, was not available in Spanish. Here, we assess the linguistic validity of a Spanish translation and compare perception of disease-specific and generic quality of life (QOL) in a sample of Latino and non-Latino children with SCD and their parents.

Method

Following forward and backward translation, Spanish-speaking child–parent dyads linguistically validated the translated instruments. Disease-specific and generic QOL perception of 28 child–parent dyads who participated in a clinical feasibility trial, HABIT (Hydroxyurea Adherence for Personal Best in Sickle Cell Disease), were compared by ethnicity. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, absolute score differences, and minimal clinically important differences (MCID).

Results

The translated questionnaire required no further language changes. QOL scores were higher for Latino children and parents compared with non-Latinos, with score differences exceeding MCIDs for total scores and the majority of subscale scores.

Conclusion

Spanish language PedsQL SCD instruments allow measurement of QOL in Spanish-speaking Latino children with SCD and their parents. Score differences for Latinos mostly exceeded MCIDs, suggesting that these differences are clinically meaningful. Confirmation of these findings is warranted.