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Pain and hospital admissions are important factors associated with quality of life in nonambulatory children
Author(s) -
Elema Agnes,
Zalmstra Trees A. L.,
Boonstra Anne M.,
Narayanan Unni G.,
ReindersMesselink Heleen A.,
Putten Annette A. J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13493
Subject(s) - medicine , cerebral palsy , gross motor function classification system , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , population , cognition , pediatrics , psychiatry , environmental health , nursing
Aim This was the first study to investigate the factors associated with health‐related quality of life ( HRQ oL) in nonambulatory children with cerebral palsy ( CP ), based on a HRQ oL measure specifically developed for this population. Methods The Dutch version of the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities ( CPCHILD ‐ DV ) was used to measure HRQ oL. It was completed by 66 parents of 47 boys and 19 girls with nonambulatory CP aged between five and 18 years with gross motor function classification system ( GMFCS ) levels of IV and V. Factors measured were the child's motor and cognitive impairments, comorbidities, pain, parents' education and occupations and family structure. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the significant factors and the relative contribution of these factors to the CPCHILD ‐ DV scores. Results The most important factors associated with poorer HRQ oL scores were pain and hospital admissions in the previous six months. Other factors were as follows: increased GMFCS level, feeding by gastrostomy tube, inability to communicate verbally, cognitive impairment, poor seizure control and higher parents' educational qualifications. Conclusion Pain and hospital admissions were the most important factors that were negatively associated with HRQ oL in nonambulatory children with CP between five to 18 years.