BACKGROUND: There are no studies on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in German children with a myelomeningocele (MMC). This study aims to obtain generalizable epidemiological data on the HRQoL of such children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: KINDL-R questionnaires were filled out and clinical findings on typical MMC disabilities were also documented. Of the 115 families contacted, 70 MMC families responded (response rate 61%). Normative KINDL-R data from a sample of healthy children served as reference. RESULTS: No differences in clinical data were found when comparing responders and non-responders. KINDL total scores as well as scores across all scales were highly concordant for parental reporting and self-reporting. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that children with MMC often suffer from severe physical limitations, their HRQoL is not necessarily lower than that of healthy children.
BACKGROUND: There are no studies on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in German children with a myelomeningocele (MMC). This study aims to obtain generalizable epidemiological data on the HRQoL of such children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: KINDL-R questionnaires were filled out and clinical findings on typical MMC disabilities were also documented. Of the 115 families contacted, 70 MMC families responded (response rate 61%). Normative KINDL-R data from a sample of healthy children served as reference. RESULTS: No differences in clinical data were found when comparing responders and non-responders. KINDL total scores as well as scores across all scales were highly concordant for parental reporting and self-reporting. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that children with MMC often suffer from severe physical limitations, their HRQoL is not necessarily lower than that of healthy children.
Authors: P C Parkin; H M Kirpalani; P L Rosenbaum; D L Fehlings; A Van Nie; A R Willan; D King Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 1997-03 Impact factor: 4.147