HRQoL of European children and adolescents with short stature as assessed with generic (KIDSCREEN) and chronic-generic (DISABKIDS) instruments.
Short stature may be associated with impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study compared the HRQoL of children/adolescents diagnosed with short stature to population norms and examined the effects of height deviation and treatment status on HRQoL.


METHODS
We cross-sectionally assessed 110 children/adolescents aged 8-18, with current short stature (height deviation ≤-2 standard-deviation (SD)) or normal height achieved since diagnosis, and 98 parents, using the generic KIDSCREEN and the chronic-generic DISABKIDS instruments.


RESULTS
Generic HRQoL of patients was similar to population norms. Patients with achieved normal height reported better chronic-generic HRQoL when untreated, while patients with current short stature reported better HRQoL upon receiving treatment. Parents reported better HRQoL for treated patients, especially for girls.


CONCLUSIONS
Although their HRQoL is not significantly compromised, patients diagnosed with short stature may profit from growth-hormone treatment. Specific instruments are needed to adequately assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52 W26, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Neuza
N
Silva
Monika
M
Bullinger
Julia
J
Quitmann
Ulrike
U
Ravens-Sieberer
Anja
A
Rohenkohl
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D019382:Human Growth Hormone