title: Sense of coherence and perceived physical health explain the better quality of life in adolescents with congenital heart disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since survival rates of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have improved, issues beyond the quantity of life have become more important. Quality of life (QOL) has mainly been investigated in adults with CHD. Hence, research about QOL among adolescents with CHD is much needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the QOL of adolescents with CHD with that of control subjects from the general population and to explore whether sense of coherence (SOC) explains differences in QOL between patients and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional, comparative study, we included 429 patients (229 boys; 200 girls) aged 14-18 years, who were matched to control subjects for age and sex. QOL was measured with a Linear Analogue Scale; SOC was measured using the SOC-13.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median QOL score in patients was 82 (Q1=75; Q3=90). The QOL of patients was significantly (Z=-5.888; p<0.001) better than that of controls (median=80; Q1=70; Q3=85.5). Adjusted for other potentially confounding factors, linear mixed modelling showed that the better QOL in patients was explained by a higher SOC (mean=61.4±12.0 vs. 53.6±10.4) and better perceived physical health (mean=87.0±13.8 vs. 85.3±13.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that adolescents with CHD have a good QOL, one that is better than that of control subjects from the general population. A stronger SOC and better perceived physical health are potential resources for better QOL in patients.
authors: 1Centre for Health Services and Nursing Research, and Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Apers
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Moons
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Goossens
authors: Koen
authors: K
authors: Luyckx
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Gewillig
authors: Kris
authors: K
authors: Bogaerts
authors: Werner
authors: W
authors: Budts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D064646:Cardiovascular Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011788:Quality of Life; D060685:Sense of Coherence
keywords: Quality of life; adolescent; congenital; heart defects; nursing; sense of coherence; transition