Abstract

BORREGO, Luís Miguel et al. CARATkids questionnaire development process. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.3, pp.183-193. ISSN 0871-9721.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis and asthma (ARA) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways that often coexist. The only tool to assess the control of ARA the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT), which is validated for adult patients. We aimed to develop CARATkids for children aged 4‑12 years old, with ARA. This article reports the process of development of the CARATkids questionnaire. Methods: The development of the CARATkids questionnaire was structured in three phases: 1) literature was reviewed for existing pediatric questionnaires 2) a multidisciplinary working group developed CARATKids, with 2 versions (children and caregivers), composed by 17‑items. For children, questions were accompanied by illustrations with dichotomous response format (yes / no). For caregivers the questionnaire kept the format of CARAT17, with both 4‑points Likert and dichotomous scales 3) performed a cross‑sectional study and qualitatively through cognitive interviews to 29 children and their caregivers. Results:29 children (11 females) and their caregivers were enrolled. Median age (P25‑P75) was 8 (6‑10) years old. Children with 4 to 5 years couldn´t read the questionnaire; with 6‑8 were able to read/comprehend the questions, although referred difficulties for some words/expressions; and children older than 9, considered the questionnaire very easy and clear. The proportion of agreement between children and their caregivers was 61% and both enjoyed the drawings and found them clear and illustrative of the concepts. Parents agreed that the caregiver’s version was complete considering the child’s version very clear and adequate and approving the dichotomic scale, compared to the Likert scale of the caregiver’s questionnaire. The identified problematic expressions have been amended. Conclusion: CARATkids is the first questionnaire that assesses a child´s asthma and rhinitis control. Cognitive testing showed it is easily understood by children 6 to 12 years old

Keywords : Asthma; child; questionnaire; rhinitis.

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