Correlation of the Health Utilities Index Mark 2 cognition scale and neuropsychological functioning among survivors of childhood medulloblastoma

Children surviving medulloblastoma have a high risk for chronic, treatment-related neurocognitive deficits. Neuropsychological testing provides important data regarding the comparative toxicities of various therapeutic approaches. However, such testing can be expensive and logistically difficult, especially if a consulting psychologist is not readily available at the treating institution. Our purpose was to investigate the usefulness of a health-related quality of life inventory that does not require a psychologist for completion. We assessed the concurrent validity of traditional intelligence (IQ) testing and levels on the Cognition attribute of the multi-attribute Health Utilities Index Mark 2 (HUI 2) in estimating academic achievement scores of 22 patients treated for medulloblastoma with craniospinal irradiation following surgical resection. The results demonstrated that the Cognition utility scores were significantly lower than scores from the other components of the HUI 2 (Sensation, Mobility, Emotion, Self-Care, Pain). Cognition scores were also significantly positively correlated with IQ and achievement scores. Furthermore, Cognition scores were significantly lower among children who had received special educational services when compared with those who had not received such services. Our results provide preliminary evidence of the potential usefulness of the HUI 2 Cognition attribute in estimating IQ, achievement and the likelihood of the need for special educational services among children treated for medulloblastoma.