The measurement of health-related quality of life (QOL) in paediatric clinical trials: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The goal of much care in chronic childhood illness is to improve quality of life (QOL). However, surveys suggest QOL measures are not routinely included. In addition, there is little consensus about the quality of many QOL measures.

Objectives

To determine the extent to which quality of life (QOL) measures are used in paediatric clinical trials and evaluate the quality of measures used.

Design

Systematic literature review.

Review methods

Included paediatric trials published in English between 1994 and 2003 involving children and adolescents up to the age of 20 years, and use of a standardised QOL measure. Data Sources included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMB Reviews, AMED, BNI, PSYCHINFO, the Cochrane library, Internet, and reference lists from review articles.

SUBMITTER: Clarke SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC534785 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature