Parents report better health-related quality of life for their food-allergic children than children themselves

Summary Background Food allergy affects 5–6% of children and impairs health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Children and parents may differ in their views concerning the child's HRQL. In food allergy, child‐ and parent‐proxy‐reported HRQL have never been compared using valid disease‐specific instruments. Objective The aim of this study was to compare child‐ and parent‐proxy reports on HRQL in food‐allergic children (8–12 years). Methods The Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Child Form (FAQLQ‐CF), and ‐Parent Form (FAQLQ‐PF) and the Food Allergy Independent Measure‐Child Form and ‐Parent Form (FAIM‐CF and ‐PF) were completed by Dutch food‐allergic child–parent pairs. Child‐ and parent‐proxy reports were correlated and tested for significant differences. Construct validity (Spearman's correlation coefficient between the FAQLQs and FAIMs) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α) were assessed and compared. Results Seventy‐four child–parent pairs were included. The FAQLQ‐CF score was significantly higher than the FAQLQ‐PF score (3.74 vs. 2.68, P