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

OBJECTIVE: The 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.

METHODS: Data 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).

RESULTS: The 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).

SIGNIFICANCE: The 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.