The systematic review revealed widespread utilization of developmentally appropriate QL instruments but less frequent use of both self and proxy reports and an inconsistent approach to age group specificities .
Research on the quality of life ( QL ) of children/adolescents with psychological disorders has flourished over the last few decades .
Given the developmental challenges of QL measurements in pediatric population s , the aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which a developmental approach to  QL assessment has been applied to pedopsychiatric QL research .
Psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents treated with open-label ziprasidone for bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine global functioning , health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) , and clinical outcome in children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder , schizophrenia , or schizoaffective disorder following ziprasidone treatment . METHODS Sixty-three subjects ( aged 10 - 17 years ) received open-label ziprasidone  , titrated from 10 to 40 mg twice a day ( b.i.d . ) ( low-dose group ) or from 20 to 80 mg b.i.d . ( high-dose group ) ; fixed doses were used until week 3 , followed by flexible doses for 6 months . The Children 's Global Assessment Scale ( CGAS ) characterized functional impairment at baseline and following treatment . The Child Health Question naire ( CHQ ) assessed HRQOL at baseline . RESULTS Baseline CHQ showed greater impairment in psychosocial functioning than in physical health . Baseline mean CGAS scores were substantially below normal ( i.e. , < 70 ) , indicating functional impairment . Improvement in CGAS scores occurred as early as the first week of treatment . The low correlations between both CHQ and CGAS and the efficacy measures at baseline indicate that these scales measure different constructs . Nevertheless , there was good correlation between improvements in the CGAS and changes in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored ( BPRS-A ) and Young Mania Rating Scale ( YMRS ) during ziprasidone treatment . CONCLUSION CHQ and CGAS scales may be useful together with st and ard efficacy measures for children and adolescents with these disorders
The systematic review revealed widespread utilization of developmentally appropriate QL instruments but less frequent use of both self and proxy reports and an inconsistent approach to age group specificities .
Research on the quality of life ( QL ) of children/adolescents with psychological disorders has flourished over the last few decades .
Given the developmental challenges of QL measurements in pediatric population s , the aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which a developmental approach to  QL assessment has been applied to pedopsychiatric QL research .