Health-related Quality of Life in children and adolescents after invasive treatment for congenital heart disease

Qual Life Res. 2006 May;15(4):663-73. doi: 10.1007/s11136-005-3692-z.

Abstract

Since the 1980s treatment techniques for congenital heart disease (ConHD) have gradually evolved. Therefore, actual information on the outcomes, including quality of life is required. Health-related quality of life was assessed long-term in four diagnostic groups of children, who underwent invasive treatment for ConHD between 1990 and 1995. The scores on the TNO-AZL Child Quality of Life Questionnaire (TACQOL) of both children with ConHD and their parents were compared with those of a same-aged reference group. The total sample of ConHD children (n = 113, 8-15 years old) obtained significantly lower mean scores on motor functioning, cognitive functioning, and positive emotional functioning than reference peers, reflecting an experience of poorer functioning. ConHD children, aged 8-11 years, obtained lower mean scores on 5 of the 7 TACQOL scales than reference peers. They also had a lower score on positive emotional functioning than 12- to 15-year-old ConHD children. The total sample of ConHD children obtained lower outcomes compared to their parents on 4 of the 7 TACQOL scales. No significant differences were found in health-related quality of life between ConHD boys and girls, neither between different diagnostic groups. Overall, this sample of recently treated ConHD children showed a worse health-related quality of life compared to reference groups. These findings deserve further attention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Cognition
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / psychology*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Pain
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Postoperative Period*
  • Psychometrics
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sickness Impact Profile*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome