Development of the AAcQLI: A New Instrument for Assessing Quality of Life in Children With Alopecia Areata.

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non-scarring hair loss, which can markedly affect the quality of life (QoL) of children. The absence of disease-specific instruments to measure this impact motivated the development of the Alopecia Areata Children's Quality of Life Index (AAcQLI).

METHODS

This study aims to develop and validate a disease-specific instrument to assess QoL in children with AA, addressing emotional, social, and functional domains. The AAcQLI was developed through a review of existing instruments, refined by an expert committee, and tested in a pilot sample. Its psychometric properties were evaluated by examining content and construct validity, while reliability was assessed through test-retest and internal consistency using Cronbach's α coefficient.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 20 children, with a median age of 9.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 7.5-13). The AAcQLI demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86) and excellent content validity (Content Validity Index = 1.0). Convergent validity indicated fair agreement with the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) (k = 0.24) and slight agreement, as measured by the Severity of Alopecia (SALT) (k = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

The AAcQLI is a promising tool for assessing quality of life in children with AA. Further studies with larger and more diverse populations are warranted to refine its measurement properties and strengthen its clinical applicability in evaluating the psychosocial impact of the disease.