Inconsistencies with physical functioning and the child health questionnaire in children with cerebral palsy.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To explore the performance of the Physical Functioning (PF) subscale of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

STUDY DESIGN:
Parents of 177 children and adolescents (age 3 to 18 years) with CP completed the CHQ -Parent Form 50. Severity of CP was assessed using the 5-level Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), in which higher levels reflect more severe impairment.

RESULTS:
PF scores were negatively correlated with GMFCS classification (R = -0.62) and were distributed bimodally in subjects with severe motor impairment. For GMFCS classifications IV and V (n = 59), PF scores were very low (means, 9 to 28; medians, 0 to 8); however, 12% of these subjects had excellent PF scores (> 88) despite being nonambulatory.

CONCLUSIONS:
Although the CHQ PF subscale correlated well with the GMFCS, the CHQ questions on physical functioning resulted in unexpected responses in approximately 1 in 8 subjects with severe CP. These unanticipated responses to the PF subscale questions may be due to ambiguity in the questions (which do not differentiate between health problems and disability) or to alternative parental interpretation of physical functioning. Confusion in differentiating health status and functional status may make the CHQ less useful in children with significant disabilities.

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Author information

Author/s: Vargus-Adams, Jilda N (JN);

Affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. jilda.vargus-adams(-atsign-)cchmc.org

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Validation Studies

Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 153 (issue 2) : pp 199-202, 202.e1

Dates: Created 2008/07/21; Completed 2008/08/13;

PMID: 18534226, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: J Pediatr. 2008 Aug;153(2):158-60. (PMID: 18639726)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Cerebral Palsy - classification; diagnosis
Child
Child, Preschool
Disability Evaluation
Disabled Children - classification
Female
Health Status Indicators

Health Status Indicators
Humans
Male
Motor Skills Disorders - classification
Psychomotor Performance - classification
Questionnaires
Walking - classification

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