LIMB-Q Kids

CONCEPT-DRIVEN APPROACH

LIMB-Q Kids is a rigorously developed patient-reported outcome measure that can be used to measure outcomes in children and adolescents with lower limb differences. Lower Limb Differences can arise from a spectrum of disorders, which can be either congenital or acquired. LIMB-Q Kids was developed from concept elicitation interviews with 79 patients with lower limb differences and their parents from Canada, Ethiopia, India and the USA. To establish content validity, we conducted 17 cognitive debriefing interviews and obtained input from 23 clinical experts from Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, India, UK, and the USA. LIMB-Q Kids was then field-tested internationally with 800 patients from 16 sites in 7 countries.

MODULAR DESIGN

The conceptual framework for LIMB-Q Kids covers 3 domains: appearance, health-related quality of life, and symptoms. Each domain is composed of multiple independently functioning scales. The variety of scales provides flexibility to choose the subset of scales best suited to measure the outcomes of interest in any given study or clinical situation. An advantage of the modular structure, with individually scored scales, means it is possible to add new scales to fill any gaps as these are identified.

Advancing Knowledge &
Improving Health Outcomes

Research

Can be used in research studies and clinical trials to study different approaches to treatments.

Industry

Carefully designed to meet the requirements of regulatory bodies.

Benchmarking

Can be used to benchmark outcomes in quality improvement initiatives.

Patient Care

Designed using a modern psychometric approach to facilitate use in patient care.

SCALE STRUCTURE

The LIMB-Q Kids module includes 9 independently functioning scales that measure outcomes important to patients from their perspective. The LIMB-Q Kids modular approach allows clinicians and researchers to administer the subset of scales relevant to their situation.

APPEARANCE

This scale measures how much the patient likes the look of their leg(s). Items ask about the appearance of the leg in terms of length, size, and impact of clothing, as well as in comparison to other people’s legs.

HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE

Four scales measure aspects of health-related quality of life for patients with lower limb differences. These scales measure leg-related distress and physical, psychological, and social function.

SYMPTOMS

Four scales measure symptoms related to foot and ankle, hip, knee and the leg in patients with lower limb differences.

LIMB-Q FRAMEWORK

CO-DEVELOPERS

Dr Harpreet Chhina

BC Children’s Hospital, CA

Dr Anthony Cooper