Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Spinal Dysraphic Disorders

Background/Purpose: Aim of this study was to investigate the health-related quality of life (hQl) in children and adolescents with spinal dysraphic disorders with special respect to age-related perception of handicaps.

Methods: Seventy-three children and adolescents were tested. The analytical tools for gathering information regarding the hQl include the following standardized questionnaires: HADS-D, SF-36 and KINDL-R questionnaires. These were age adapted for use in self-evaluative versions: Kiddy-KINDL (4–7 years of age), Kid-KINDL (8–12 years of age) and Kiddo-KINDL (13–16 years of age). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 21.0. A random sample t-test was used to compare the average of two independent random samples.

Results: HADS: Comparison of anxiety and depression scales with the generally healthy population reveals no statistical significance. Health related quality of life KINDL: The study revealed no significant influence on hQl in comparison to healthy normal population, as documented by the total scores. The Kiddo group (13–16) showed a statistically relevant disadvantage in the category friends in comparison to the normal population, having a p-value of 0.020. Health related quality of life SF-36. In comparison to the norm group the p-value of <0.001 for the physical total score exhibits a significantly lower hQl. An analysis of the negative results of the physical total score reveals statistically significant impairment compared with the norm group in the dimensions of physical functionality (PF), physical role function (RF) and physical well-being (GH).

Conclusion: There is no generally impairment regarding hQl in children and adolescents with spinal dysraphic disorders and no increase of anxiety and depression disorders. Although physical impairment is perceived, coping strategies may be accepted.