What is the perceived quality of life of adults with congenital heart disease and does it differ by anomaly?
Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) represent a growing population of patients thanks to the medical and surgical advances which enable at least 85% of children to survive to adulthood. These advances may create quality-of-life (QoL) issues not previously considered. The purpose of this cross-sectional study of 124 adults with CHD was to describe their QoL as a basis for providing appropriate information, counseling, and anticipatory guidance. Thirteen patients had single ventricle physiology (SVP), 43 had cyanotic lesions with 2 ventricle repairs, and 68 had acyanotic CHD. On the basis of Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) scores, individuals with SVP had worse QoL than did those with cyanotic lesions (with 2 ventricle repairs) and acyanotic anomalies (SIP = 9.98 vs 4.61 and 3.76). SIP scores were statistically significantly different between those with SVP and those with acyanotic anomalies (P = .02). For all groups, the areas of life most affected were work and sleep and rest. Participants with SVP saw themselves as having the poorest QoL.
Simko
Lynn Coletta
LC
School of Nursing, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA. Simko@duq.edu
McGinnis
Kathleen A
KA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009511:New England; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires