Establishing the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55)
Abstract
The Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) is a validated, parent-reported measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with epilepsy (CWE). The QOLCE-55 currently has no minimum clinically important difference (MCID), which is the minimum amount of change required to be considered meaningful to patients. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the MCID for the QOLCE-55 using the Making Mindfulness Matter© in Children with Epilepsy trial data. Parent-child dyads (n=66) completed the QOLCE-55 at baseline (week 0) and follow-up (week 9). MCID values for the QOLCE-55 were calculated using two types of methods: anchor-based and distribution-based. Using an anchor-based approach, the MCID for the QOLCE-55 was 10 points and using a distribution-based method, the MCID was 6 points. This is the first study to report MCID values for the QOLCE-55. These MCID estimates should be used with caution pending replication in subsequent studies.