A cross sectional survey on health-related quality of life among parents of children with allergic symptoms using the EQ-5D-5L.

OBJECT: This study aims to evaluate the HRQOL of parents of children with allergic diseases using the EQ-5D-5L.

METHODS: The subjects of the study were parents of children enrolled in primary schools and daycare centers. The EQ-5D-5L was self-administered in the sample population, and demographic and health information of their children were collected. We assessed the difference in EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS of parents by the prevalence of allergic symptoms (wheezing, runny or blocked nose, and itchy rash) in their children in the past 12 months. In addition, we examined the difference in parents' EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS score, based on the number of allergic symptoms of their children.

RESULTS: Of the 23,837 completed questionnaires, 22,904 were analyzed. There were significant differences in HRQOL between parents of children with and without allergic symptoms. There was a considerable difference in proportion of problem reporting in the "pain/discomfort" and "anxiety/depression" dimensions compared with the remaining dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L. Among three allergic symptoms, the HRQOL of parents of children with asthmatic symptoms was lowest at 0.936 on the EQ-5D-5L index and 79.3 on the EQ-VAS score. As the number of allergic symptoms of children increased, QOL of parents significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with allergic symptoms showed lower HRQOL than those parents whose children did not. The EQ-5D-5L instrument appeared to be useful to evaluate the HRQOL of parents of children with allergic diseases.