Health-related quality of life in children with rheumatic diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The effects of therapies on the physical function and health-related quality of life of patients are increasingly considered when treatment decisions are made. For the interpretation of the values of the physical function and health-related quality of life measures, their measurement properties have to be studied.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advantages include the determination of the minimal clinically important difference of Child Health Assessment Questionnaire, the cross-cultural adaptation of the Child Health Assessment Questionnaire and the Child Health Questionnaire, as well as the development of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory.

SUMMARY

Despite important advantages in the measurement of physical function and health-related quality of life, additional refinements and validation of the current scales are necessary prior to their use as primary outcome measures for medical treatments.