Evaluation of medical and psychological parameters of quality of life in supraventricular tachyarrhythmia children. A comparison with healthy children.
BACKGROUND
There are only a few available studies evaluating quality of life (QoL) in pediatric patients with cardiac arrhythmia. The aim of the study was to evaluate medical and psychological parameters of the QoL in children with a diagnosed supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) and to compare the obtained data with a group of healthy children (HC).


METHODS
Inclusion criteria: children aged 7-18 with SVT, treated at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Pediatric Cardiology. The evaluation tools were the WHOQOL-BREF instrument and a questionnaire related to the patient's feelings and observations concerning arrhythmia (Pediatric Arrhythmia Related Score - PARS), developed by the authors and adjusted to the group of arrhythmia patients.


RESULTS
The study included 180 SVT children and 83 HC. On the basis of WHOQOL-BREF the SVT group was found to have lower assessment values of QoL within the physical domain (Phd) (mean ± SD: 65.7 ±15.8 vs. 81.6 ±12.8;p< 0.0001) and psychological domain (Psd) (mean ± SD: 75.8 ±15.2 vs. 81.3 ±14.1;p< 0.005). No significant differences were found within the social relationships domain or the environment domain. On the basis of PARS in the SVT group the patients reported significantly increased symptoms within Phd (mean ± SD: 2.3 ±0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3;p< 0.0001) as well as increased negative feelings within Psd (mean ± SD: 2.3 ±0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.6;p< 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Medical and psychological parameters of the QoL in SVT children are significantly lower in comparison with HC. A diagnosis of SVT has no influence on the social and environmental areas of QoL. The PARS appears to be a useful tool to supplement the generic questionnaire for QoL evaluation in SVT children.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Emilia
E
Szafran
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Artur
A
Baszko
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Anna
A
Bukowska-Posadzy
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Department of Cardiology, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute, Lodz, Poland.
Tomasz
T
Moszura
Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Warsaw University of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
Bożena
B
Werner
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Aldona
A
Siwińska
Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Maciej
M
Banach
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Jarosław
J
Walkowiak
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Waldemar
W
Bobkowski
arrhythmia; pediatric; quality of life; questionnaires
Indian J Pediatr. 2015 Jun;82(6):545-8
25640066
Pediatrics. 2008 May;121(5):e1060-7
18450848
Arch Med Sci. 2014 Oct 27;10(5):891-8
25395940
Cardiol Young. 2013 Feb;23(1):82-8
22717122
Pediatr Cardiol. 2013 Apr;34(4):893-7
23129107
Qual Life Res. 2004 Mar;13(2):299-310
15085902
Circulation. 1996 Oct 1;94(7):1585-91
8840848
Arch Med Sci. 2016 Apr 1;12(2):326-33
27186176
Pediatr Clin North Am. 2006 Feb;53(1):85-105, vi
16487786
Acta Paediatr. 2013 Feb;102(2):e68-73
23121073
Cardiol Young. 2012 Feb;22(1):13-7
21729506
Iran J Ped Hematol Oncol. 2013;3(3):108-13
24575281
Qual Life Res. 2008 May;17(4):613-26
18347927
Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2009 Oct;32(10):1299-306
19702600
J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2010 Jul;3(3):251-60
20930969
Heart Rhythm. 2015 May;12 (5):899-908
25602174
Arch Med Sci. 2014 Jun 29;10(3):517-24
25097583
Congenit Heart Dis. 2010 Nov-Dec;5(6):587-93
21106019