title: Quality of Life in Adults with Neurofibromatosis 1 in Brazil.
abstract: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurocutaneous genetic disorder that can be associated with severe complications, and it may shorten patients' lifespan and affect their quality of life negatively. This study aimed to examine quality of life constructs among adults with NF1 in Brazil. It is an exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study consisting of two stages, involving thirteen adult patients with NF1. The first stage was developed using a quantitative methodology, namely the WHOQOL-100 questionnaire; responses for the 13 patients were compared to a matched control group. The second stage comprised clinical-qualitative research whereby participants took part in a semi-structured interview; these data were analyzed using the categorical thematic analysis technique. There were no statistically significant differences in the questionnaire domains between the NF1 patients and the control subjects. Eighteen main themes were extracted from the interviews, showing interference of the NF1 visibility principally in psychological aspects and social relationships. Patients mentioned curiosity about NF1 and confusion about the distinctions between NF1 and contagious diseases, which lead to prejudice. They were concerned about the future and how the disease would develop in themselves and their offspring, and emphasized difficulties acquiring proper healthcare. These findings may help in planning healthcare for Brazilian NF1 patients and improving their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natália Parenti
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Bicudo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Balduíno Ferreira
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: de Menezes Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucimar Retto
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: da Silva de Avó
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Maria Ramos
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Germano
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. dgmelo@ufscar.br.|Departamento de Medicina, Rod. Washington Luís (SP-310), Km 235, Campus da UFSCar, São Carlos, SP, Brazil, CEP 13565-905. dgmelo@ufscar.br.
authors.forename: Débora Gusmão
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Melo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Disease knowledge; Genetic counseling; Healthcare; Neurofibromatosis 1; Psychosocial burden; Quality of life