title: Comparison of health-related quality of life among children with cystic fibrosis and their parents in two Eastern European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the optimal care of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, not only medical parameters are respected but also health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of our study was to compare HRQOL of CF patients from two Eastern European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  141 patients with CF (6-18 years) and 102 parents completed the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R). Data about disease severity, type of children's education and questions about parents' employment status were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the patient group, a significant difference was found only in Treatment burden, whereas in the parent group, there were significant differences in Treatment burden, Emotional functioning, Eating and Digestive symptoms between the two countries. School attendance was revealed as an important factor influencing HRQOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Observed differences in evaluation of HRQOL may be caused by different therapeutic and diagnostic challenges between countries. To identify possible presence of psychosocial problems, monitoring of HRQOL is recommended.
authors.affiliation: CF Unit, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: urszula.borawska@imid.med.pl.
authors.forename: Urszula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Borawska-Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: CF Unit, Heim Pal Children's Hospital, Ulloi ut 86, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Hogyes E. u. 7-9, 1092 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Reka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bodnar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Administration, Semmelweis University, Hogyes E. u. 7-9, 1092 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meszaros
authors.affiliation: CF Unit, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sands
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011044:Poland; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Eastern Europe; Health-related quality of life; Individual education