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Health-related quality of life and ambulation in children with myelomeningocele in a Swedish population
Acta Pediatrica, 06/20/2012
Bartonek A et al. – A Swedish population of children with myelomeningocele (MMC) perceived lower HRQL compared with healthy children, but similar HRQL irrespective of ambulatory function except for the physical domain was reported.
Methods- A physical examination of the lower limbs was performed, and occurrence of orthopaedic deformities and shunted hydrocephalus was documented.
- A questionnaire on general health-related quality of life Child Health Questionnaire-50 Parent Form (CHQ-PF50) was answered by the parents of 62 children, mean age 12.5 (3.1) years.
- The non-ambulatory children had significantly more frequent spasticity in the lower limbs, more often joint contractures as well as hip dislocation or spine deformity compared with ambulating patients.
- Thirty-two per cent of the ambulators managed without wheelchair use.
- All non-ambulators were wheelchair users, of which 60% used both a manual and a powered wheelchair.
- The children with MMC perceived significantly lower HRQL of all subscales of CHQ compared with the healthy control group.
- Physical function was significantly higher in ambulatory patients, PF = 57.1 compared with 22.2 for non-ambulatory patients.