Quality of Life Experienced by Adolescents and Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL) experienced by adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and to determine which factors negatively affect adjustment and which factors increase resilience. The participants in the study were 74 patients with CHD (41 males and 33 females) ranging in age from 12 to 26 years (mean age, 18.76 ± 3.86 years). Demographic information and a complete clinical history were obtained. The participants were interviewed regarding topics such as social support, family educational style, selfimage, and physical limitations. They responded to questions in a standardized psychiatric interview (SADS-L) and completed a self-report questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) for assessment of QOL. Compared with the Portuguese population as a whole, the study patients had better QOL, especially with regard to the environmental dimension (t = 3.754; P = 0.000) and social relationships (t = 2.333; P = 0.022). Patients who had undergone surgery experienced poorer QOL in the physical dimension (t = -1.989; P = 0.050), in social relationships (t = -2.012; P =0.048) and overall (Mann-Whitney U = 563.000; P =0.037). Social support played a positive role in the QOL of the patients, both in the physical dimension (t = 3.287; P = 0.002) and in social relationships (t = 3.669; P =0.000). A higher school achievement also was associated with higher levels of QOL overall (Mann-Whitney U = 457.000; P = 0.046) as well as in the physical (t = 2.045; P = 0.045) and environmental (t = 2.413; P = 0.018) dimensions. Physical limitations had a detrimental impact on general QOL (Mann-Whitney U = 947.500; P = 0.001) and on the physical (t = -2.910; p = 0.005) and psychological (t = -2,046; P = 0.044) dimensions. Patients with CHD tended to perceive QOL as better when their social networks were supportive.