Franz Baumgarten1, Caroline Cohrdes2, Anja Schienkiewitz2, Roma Thamm2, Ann-Katrin Meyrose3, Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer3. 1. Abteilung für Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland. BaumgartenF@rki.de. 2. Abteilung für Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland. 3. Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, -psychotherapie und -psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly established as an indicator for the subjective health of children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe the current HRQoL among children and adolescents in Germany aged between 11 and 17 years taking into account common chronic diseases (bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, obesity, ADHD) and mental health problems. METHODS: The analysis is based on information obtained from 6,599 children and adolescents (51.9% girls; 48.1% boys) from KiGGS Wave 2 (2014-2017). HRQoL was measured with the multidimensional KIDSCREEN-27. The chronic diseases and mental health problems under investigation were assessed by several indicators. RESULTS: Differences in HRQoL could be found as a function of age and gender. The HRQoL among girls was lower at an older age across all dimensions. These age-related differences are less pronounced among boys. The HRQoL of children and adolescents with chronic diseases and mental health problems was lower compared to their healthy peer groups. The comparison of the investigated chronic diseases and mental health problems revealed significant differences. Particularly, HRQoL was lower for children and adolescents with obesity and mental health problems. DISCUSSION: The distinction of several dimensions of HRQoL allows a comprehensive understanding of age- and gender-related effects and provides a detailed assessment of the impact of chronic diseases and mental health problems. The present findings underline the importance of HRQoL as an indicator for the subjective health of children and adolescents.
BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly established as an indicator for the subjective health of children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe the current HRQoL among children and adolescents in Germany aged between 11 and 17 years taking into account common chronic diseases (bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, obesity, ADHD) and mental health problems. METHODS: The analysis is based on information obtained from 6,599 children and adolescents (51.9% girls; 48.1% boys) from KiGGS Wave 2 (2014-2017). HRQoL was measured with the multidimensional KIDSCREEN-27. The chronic diseases and mental health problems under investigation were assessed by several indicators. RESULTS: Differences in HRQoL could be found as a function of age and gender. The HRQoL among girls was lower at an older age across all dimensions. These age-related differences are less pronounced among boys. The HRQoL of children and adolescents with chronic diseases and mental health problems was lower compared to their healthy peer groups. The comparison of the investigated chronic diseases and mental health problems revealed significant differences. Particularly, HRQoL was lower for children and adolescents with obesity and mental health problems. DISCUSSION: The distinction of several dimensions of HRQoL allows a comprehensive understanding of age- and gender-related effects and provides a detailed assessment of the impact of chronic diseases and mental health problems. The present findings underline the importance of HRQoL as an indicator for the subjective health of children and adolescents.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cross-sectional; Germany; Health monitoring; KIDSCREEN-27; KIGGS-Study
Authors: Justine Hussong; Eva Möhler; Anna Kühn; Markus Wenning; Thomas Gehrke; Holger Burckhart; Ulf Richter; Alexandra Nonnenmacher; Michael Zemlin; Thomas Lücke; Folke Brinkmann; Tobias Rothoeft; Thorsten Lehr Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2022-05-25