Validity of a paediatric quality of life questionnaire for participants with juvenile bipolar disorder

  • Dr Edward Clayton, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia, Australia
  • Mr Stephen Hirneth, The Bipolar Program, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, NSW Australia, Australia
  • Prof Philip Hazell, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW Australia, Australia
  • Dr Colin Kable, The Bipolar Program, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, NSW Australia, Australia
  • Dr Tanya Hanstock, The Bipolar Program, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, NSW Australia, Australia

    • Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine the validity of a paediatric quality of life questionnaire for participants with juvenile bipolar disorder (JBD) in Australia.

    Methods: Sixteen participants with JBD (9-18 yr) completed a range of psychological measures as part of assessment at The Bipolar Program, a clinic specialising in treating JBD. The relationship between measures and quality of life was assessed.

    Results: Participant rating of quality of life was significantly negatively related to participant and clinician ratings of depression but not significantly related to parent and clinician ratings of mania. Quality of life was also significantly positively related to participant self-concept and global functioning.

    Conclusion: The Paediatric Quality of Life and Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (PQ-LES-Q) appears to be a useful measure of quality of life in participants with JBD. Future studies with JBD in Australia, particularly interventional trials examining the effectiveness of treatments or medications, should monitor participant quality of life as a primary outcome.