title: Health-related quality of life in children and young adults with post-thrombotic syndrome: results from a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is increasingly recognized in children with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the association between the PTS and HRQoL by surveying a cohort of patients treated at our institution for DVT.
  
  
  METHODS
  All unique pediatric patients (0-18 years) treated for a DVT at the Mayo Clinic during the 15-year period, 1995-2009 were identified. A previously validated PTS survey instrument and age appropriate Pediatric Quality of Life inventory, version 4 (PedsQL 4.0) were mailed to eligible patients. Linear regression models were fit to compare the HRQoL scores between PTS groups (none, mild, moderate/severe), after adjusting for the presence of potential covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 90 respondents, 65 (72%) reported signs and/or symptoms of PTS. Mean age (± SD) at DVT diagnosis and survey completion were 12.8 (± 6.1) and 19.3 (± 7.7) years, respectively. Self-report PedsQL 4.0 module was completed by 79 patients, and 34 guardians completed the parent-proxy module. Patients with moderate to severe PTS reported significantly worse total HRQoL score (mean ± SD, 71.3 ± 13.4) as compared to patients with mild PTS (84.8 ± 14.2) and no PTS (83.4 ± 14) (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate to severe PTS has a significant impact on self-reported HRQoL as measured using the generic PedsQL 4.0. Further research is warranted to develop a venous disease-specific quality of life measure for children with a history of DVT.
authors.forename: Riten
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Vilmarie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Jane M S
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Shakila P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: McBane
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Beebe
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Heit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054070:Postthrombotic Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult