[Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: which role do age, sex and medical parameters play?].
BACKGROUND
The assessment of health-related quality of life gains increasing importance in pediatric practice. In the field of rheumatic health conditions in young people only a few studies about this topic are available. Within a European study health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with idiopathic arthritis was assessed. The results of the German sample will be presented.


METHODS
A total of N=88 children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (57% female) between 8 und 16 years were included in the study.


METHODS
Children and adolescents filled in a questionnaire. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the DISABKIDS instrument.


RESULTS
No age or gender effects on health-related quality of life were detected. The variable "limitation of mobility" as well as the item "pain" showed the strongest relationship with the health-related quality of life dimensions.


CONCLUSIONS
Health-related quality of life is decisively influenced by the consequences of the health condition. For clinical practice the study showed that patients with mobility limitations and/or pain need heightened attention which should especially concentrate on the social and mental dimensions of health-related quality of life.
Petersen
C
C
Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg. copeters@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Nordmeyer
S
S
Müller-Godeffroy
E
E
Foeldvari
I
I
Küster
R-M
RM
Bullinger
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires