title: Quality of life and behavioral functioning in Dutch children with a history of Kawasaki disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and behavioral functioning in patients with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary referral center for KD follow-up in 280 patients (mean age 8.6 years, 60.0% male). Patients were eligible when they were aged 0-18 years and had a history of KD. HRQOL was assessed using the TNO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life questionnaire for children 0-5 years old and the Pediatric Inventory of Quality of Life Core Scales 4.0 for those 6-18 years old. Behavioral functioning was evaluated using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (8-16 years proxy report and 11-16 years self-report). KD results were compared with Dutch norm data, and patients with and without coronary artery aneurysms were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRQOL was significantly worse for male patients aged 0-5 years on 4 of the 12 TNO-AZL Preschool Children Quality of Life questionnaire scales and for female patients on the motor functioning scale. At an older age, the HRQOL of patients was comparable with the norm population. Coronary artery status did not influence HRQOL. Parents reported more behavioral problems on the hyperactivity and emotional subscale in patients compared with the norm population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although at an older age the HRQOL of patients with KD is comparable with the Dutch norm, HRQOL seems to be particularly impaired at younger age. Parents reported more hyperactivity and emotional problems in patients with KD.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. c.e.tacke@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Carline E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Tacke
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haverman
authors.forename: Birgit M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Marion A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.forename: Irene M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kuipers
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grootenhuis
authors.forename: Taco W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Kuijpers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009426:Netherlands; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires