Multimorbidity in Children and Youth Across the Life-course (MY LIFE): protocol of a Canadian prospective study

作者：Mark Anthony Ferro, Ellen Louise Lipman, Ryan J. Van Lieshout, Jan Willem Gorter, Lilly Shanahan, Michael Boyle, Katholiki Georgiades, Brian Weldon Timmons · 发表于：BMJ Open · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034544 · 被引用次数：68 · 研究领域：Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life、Chronic Disease Management Strategies、Family Support in Illness

INTRODUCTION: Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of a chronic physical condition and mental disorder, affects a substantial number of children and youth and can lead to compromised quality of life, hardship for families, and an increased burden on the healthcare system. We are conducting a study to document the course of mental disorder in children and youth diagnosed with a chronic physical condition; identify predictors of child and youth multimorbidity; examine whether the effects of these predictors are moderated by relevant psychosocial and biological factors; explore potential inflammatory and stress biomarkers that mediate the onset of child and youth multimorbidity; and, assess whether multimorbidity in children and youth alters patterns of mental health service use. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Multimorbidity in Children and Youth Across the Life-course (MY LIFE) is a prospective study. Two hundred and fifty children and youth aged 2-16 years diagnosed with a chronic physical condition along with one parent will be recruited from the outpatient clinics at a paediatric tertiary care centre. Data will be collected using a multi-informant, multimethod design at four time-points (at recruitment, and at 6, 12 and 24 months postrecruitment). Parents will provide reports for all children/youth. In addition, youth ≥10 years will self-report. Mental disorder will be assessed using structured interviews. On completion of data collection, participant-reported data will be linked to pro...