title: Changes in gross motor function and health-related quality of life in adults with cerebral palsy: an 8-year follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe changes in gross motor function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-year follow-up survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants who completed the baseline survey in 2003 were invited.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample of adults with CP (N=54; response rate=37%) included a "younger group" (group 1; n=31; age, 23-27y; 15 women) and an "older group" (group 2; n=23; age, 33-42y; 10 women).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Self-Rated Health (SRH), the Health Utility Index Mark III (HUI3), and the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight years after the initial survey, 27% of the participants in the combined group had deteriorations on the GMFCS, 52% on the SRH, 44% on the HUI3, and 25% on the AQoL. Members of group 1 reported stable scores as they made the transition to adulthood, while many of the group 2 members experienced declines, with relative risk of 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-2.24) on the GMFCS, 1.36 (95% CI, 0.83-2.23) on the SRH, 1.19 (95% CI, 0.66-2.15) on the HUI3, and 3.17 (95% CI, 1.12-9.00) on the AQoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although much attention has focused on the transitions of persons with CP during their late teens and early 20s, this research found that deteriorations in the GMFCS levels and the HRQOL were most evident in adults in their late 20s and 30s. More detailed longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the longer-term health outcomes among persons with CP into their 30s and beyond.
authors.affiliation: Evaluating Children's Health Outcomes Research Center, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Koyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usuba
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oddson
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.affiliation: Evaluating Children's Health Outcomes Research Center, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; School of Rural and Northern Health, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: nyoung@laurentian.ca.
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adults; Cerebral palsy; Motor skills; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Transition to adult care