Validation and reliability of the Thai version of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF)

Wannaporn Limpitikul,¹ Witchaya Srisuwatchari,¹ Orathai Jirapongsananuruk,¹ Nualanong Visitsunthorn,¹ Punchama Pacharn¹

Affiliation:
¹ Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Food allergy has an impact on the quality of life of both patients and caregivers. It is, therefore, important to have a native language survey to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL) among food allergic children.
Objective: To translate the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) to Thai language, and to validate this tool in Thai parents with food allergic children.
Methods: The FAQLQ-PF was translated into Thai language according to WHO guideline. The FAQLQ-PF Thai version was then administered to the parents of food allergic Thai children aged 0-12 years. The FAQLQ-PF Thai version was then readministered to those same parents 10-14 days after they first completed this assessment tool. Internal consistency by Cronbach’s α and test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were assessed. The discriminant validity of the questionnaire was also evaluated.
Results: Ninety parents of participants answered the FAQLQ-PF Thai version. Of those, 9 parents (10%) incompletely answered the first questionnaire. The FAQLQ-PF Thai version showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.799), but the test-retest reliability was only fair (ICC > 0.6). Factors that adversely affected the quality of life of Thai children with food allergy included age, presence of anaphylaxis, frequency of reactions, and the number of implicated foods. Patients with wheat allergy were negatively impacted in all domains of quality of life, whereas those with shellfish allergy had only emotional impact.
Conclusion: The FAQLQ-PF Thai version is a reliable and valid tool for assessing HRQL in Thai children with food allergy.
Key words: Questionnaire, Thai, quality of life, Food hypersensitivity, Pediatrics