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.

DTSQs and DTSQc:  Choosing which version to use and when

People often use just the DTSQs.  The DTSQc is relevant for studies involving an intervention (such as a change in insulin, tablets or education/training).  Whether or not you used the DTSQc, you should always use the DTSQs at least once during your study, preferable at the beginning.  This will anchor your findings on the DTSQc, if you do go on to use the change version as well as the status version.  The DTSQc 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 at baseline and endpoint (and at one or two interim points in a 12-month trial) and the DTSQc (if used) at one follow-up only.