The DTSQ-Parent and Teen measures are based on the widely used eight-item DTSQ for adults (Bradley & Lewis 1990; Bradley, 1994), developed and expanded using extended interview work with parents and teenagers, to improve relevance, accessibility and intelligibility for teenagers (Woodcock, McMillan & Bradley, 2007). These measures enable self-report by teenagers with diabetes, and comparison with their parents’ reports.

Choosing which version to use and when

People often use just the status version (DTSQs-Parent/DTSQs-Teen).  The change version (DTSQc-Parent/DTSQc-Teen) is relevant for studies involving an intervention (such as a change in insulin, tablets or education/training).  Whether or not you used the DTSQc-Parent/DTSQc-Teen, you should always use the DTSQs-Parent/DTSQs-Teen at least once during your study, preferable at the beginning.  This will anchor your findings on the DTSQc-Parent/DTSQc-Teen, if you do go on to use the change version as well as the status version.  The DTSQc-Parent/DTSQc-Teen will tell you how people’s satisfaction and perceived hyper- and hypoglycaemia has changed; it doesn’t tell you whether it was high or low to start with, or where it is at endpoint.

We recommend that you use the DTSQs-Parent/DTSQs-Teen at baseline and endpoint (and at one or two interim points in a 12-month trial) and the DTSQc-Parent/DTSQc-Teen (if used) at one follow-up only.