Psychometric properties of the initial Brazilian version of the CHQ-PF50 applied to the caregivers of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

Goals To evaluate the psychometric properties of the initial Brazilian version of the Child Health Questionnaire(CHQ-PF50) in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy(CP). Methods The caregivers of 5- to 18-year-old children and adolescents with CP answered the self-administered CHQ-PF50 questionnaire. Data quality, reliability and validity were studied. The Gross Motor Function Measure was used to assess physical function. Results Ninety-six caregivers answered the questionnaire. Patient age ranged from 5 to 17.9 years (mean: 9.3 years). Missing data rate was low. Floor effect occurred in 3 scales and was substantial for quadriplegia group (63.6–77.3%). Ceiling effect occurred in 9 scales. Reliability was adequate for all scales except for the general health perception scale (Cronbach alpha coefficient = 0.24). The validity was adequate in general, but the role/social limitations-emotional behavioral scale was not satisfactory for discriminant and divergent validity. Conclusion The initial Brazilian version of the CHQ-PF50 showed, in general, adequate psychometric properties for application in patients with CP. Although floor and ceiling effects are expected in heterogeneous group as a limitation inherent to generic assessment instruments, they must be carefully considered in further studies. The general health perception and role/social limitations-emotional behavioral scale must be further reviewed for this population.