OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to present a survey of vulnerabilities and to suggest approaches for the treatment of rare diseases according to the perceptions of a group of affected individuals, patient association representatives and health care professionals. METHODS: The focus group technique was used in interviews with patients and primary caregivers, patient support groups/non-governmental organizations, primary health care professionals and physician specialists. RESULTS: The transcript analysis focused on thematic units, which were tailored to each group and allowed comparisons in search of concordant views. Unanimity was observed in relation to the physical, emotional and social damage to the life standards of the affected individuals and their families as a result of illness. The Brazilian health system was unanimously classified as inadequate to respond to the needs of patients with rare diseases, and this inadequacy led to unpleasant experiences, such as the seemingly endless referrals among health services to reach a final diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. CONCLUSIONS: The complex set of health system requirements necessary to support the care of patients with rare diseases represents an obstacle to successfully meeting the needs of patients and their families. Therefore, it is important to develop specific public policies to create referral services, guarantee access to appropriate therapeutic modalities and incorporate technologies that promote research for developing new, affordable therapies.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a confiabilidade da tradução e adaptação cultural do questionário Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (Peds- QLTM) - Doença Renal em Estágio Avançado (DREA) - versão 3.0 - relato das crianças/adolescentes e relato dos pais para avaliação da Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde (QRVS) de crianças brasileiras portadoras de DREA. Método: Utilizou-se a metodologia proposta pelos autores da versão original dos questionários, por meio da administração dos mesmos a um grupo de 24 crianças e adolescentes portadores de DREA em acompanhamento na Unidade de Nefrologia Pediátrica do Instituto da Criança - HCFMUSP e 32 cuidadores primários (CP). Resultados: A análise estatística inicial dos sete domínios do questionário resultou em alfa de Cronbach entre 0,39 e 0,89. Os domínios que apresentaram valores inferiores a 0,5 foram recalculados separando-os por faixas etárias, o que resultou em elevação do alfa de Cronbach, demonstrando a influência da faixa etária na percepção da qualidade de vida, no paciente portador de DREA. A avaliação geral do alfa de Cronbach, todavia, apontou 0,81 e 0,71 para os questionários destinados aos relatos dos pacientes e dos CP, respectivamente, demonstrando uma boa consistência interna. Conclusão: A versão brasileira do questionário é válida, confiável e útil na mensuração da QVRS das crianças e dos adolescentes com DREA, segundo os relatos dos pacientes e dos CP.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the reliability of the translation and cultural adaptation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) - End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - version 3.0 - children/adolescents and parents reports in Brazilian children with ESRD. Methods: A group of 24 children and adolescents with ESRD, followed at Unidade de Nefrologia Pediátrica do Instituto da Criança - HCFMUSP and 32 primary caregivers were interviewed according to the me methodology proposed by the creator of the original questionnaire. Results: Statistical analysis using Cronbach's alpha resulted in values between 0.39 and 0.89 for all domains in initial statistical analysis. The domains that presented values lower than 0.5 were recalculated by age group, resulting in higher Cronbach's alpha values demonstrating the influence of the age in the perception of quality of life in ESRD patients. The overall rating of Cronbach's alpha values resulted in values of 0.81 and 0.71 in patients and PC reports, respectively, demonstrating good internal consistency. Conclusions: Ours results show that the Brazilian version of the questionnaires is valid, reliable and useful for measure HRQoL of children and adolescents ESRD, according to patients and PC reports.