Quality of life in adult survivors of correction of esophageal atresia.
OBJECTIVE
Long-term quality of life (QOL) in adults after correction of esophageal atresia (EA) is comparable with that of healthy adults.


METHODS
Outcome study with a consecutive sample and follow-up after 16 years or longer.


METHODS
Pediatric surgical center (academic center) in a tertiary hospital.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 119 consecutive surviving adults who were treated for EA between 1947 and 1986. The questionnaire was to assess sociodemographic characteristics and generic and disease-specific QOL and contained 3 open-ended questions about the consequences of the disease in daily life. Clinical characteristics were collected from patient case notes.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven (82%) of the 119 questionnaires were completed and returned. When comparing the generic QOL of patients who had EA with that of healthy subjects, we found no differences in overall physical and mental health. The presence of concomitant congenital anomalies did not influence generic QOL. A third of the patients reported that EA had had negative effects on their daily lives. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as dysphagia were most often mentioned (23%).


CONCLUSIONS
In general, after EA correction, patients perceive their generic and disease-specific QOL to be good. The presence of concomitant congenital anomalies did not influence generic QOL. However, a third of patients reported that the disease had had negative consequences.
Deurloo
Jacqueline A
JA
Pediatric Surgical Center of Amsterdam, Emma Children's Hospital AMC, 1100 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ekkelkamp
Seine
S
Hartman
Esther E
EE
Sprangers
Mirjam A G
MA
Aronson
Daniel C
DC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome