Self-reported health status and quality of life in youth with cerebral palsy and typically developing youth.
OBJECTIVE
To describe self-reported health status and quality of life (QOL) of ambulatory youths with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with sex- and age-matched typically developing youth (TDY).


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional cohort comparison.


METHODS
Community-based.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 81 youth with CP (age range, 10-13 y) with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I through III and 30 TDY participated. They were recruited from 2 regional children's hospitals and 1 regional military medical center.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Participants completed the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form (CHQ-CF87) for health status and the Youth Quality of Life for QOL.


RESULTS
Youth with CP reported significantly lower health status than age- and sex-matched TDY in the following CHQ-CF87 subscales: role/social behavioral physical, bodily pain, physical function, and general health (CP mean rank, 46.8-55.2; TDY mean rank, 62.2-80.9). There were significant differences across GMFCS levels. There were no significant differences in self-reported QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported health status, but not QOL, appears sensitive to the functional health issues experienced by ambulatory youth with CP. Pain management and psychosocial support may be indicated for them.
Bjornson
Kristie F
KF
School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. kristie.bjornson@seattlechildrens.org
Belza
Basia
B
Kartin
Deborah
D
Logsdon
Rebecca G
RG
McLaughlin
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires