Validation of the Korean Versions of the Scale of Food Allergy Anxiety and the Food Allergy Anxiety Scales for Children and Parents

초록

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean versions of the Child- and Parent-Rated Scale of Food Allergy Anxiety (K-SOFAA-C and K-SOFAA-P) and the Food Allergy Anxiety Scale for Children (K-FAAS-C). Additionally, we sought to identify factors associated with high levels of food allergy (FA)-related anxiety in Korean children and their parents. Methods We enrolled patients aged 6-18 years with FA and their parents. The original English versions of the SOFAA-C, SOFAA-P, and FAAS-C were translated into Korean. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Convergent validity was evaluated by examining the correlations between each questionnaire and the Korean version of the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (K-FAQLQ) as well as generic anxiety scales. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with high anxiety. Results The K-SOFAA-C, K-FAAS-C, and K-SOFAA-P demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values exceeding 0.80. Total scores of the K-SOFAA-C, K-FAAS-C, and K-SOFAA-P showed significant positive correlations with age-appropriate K-FAQLQ scores (r = 0.469, 0.886, 0.549, 0.929, and 0.665; all P < 0.05) and with generic anxiety scales (r = 0.621, 0.393, 0.269, and 0.348; all P < 0.05). Respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with higher K-SOFAA-C (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-17.17) and K-SOFAA-P scores (aOR, 10.57; 95% CI, 1.94-57.52). Residing in non-metropolitan areas was associated with higher K-FAAS-C scores (aOR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.06-13.11). Conclusions The K-SOFAA-C, K-FAAS-C, and K-SOFAA-P are reliable and valid instruments for assessing FA-related anxiety in Korean children and their parents. These tools may facilitate clinical assessment and management by identifying individuals at high risk of FA-related anxiety, particularly those with respiratory symptoms or living in non-metropolitan areas.

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