Determinants of quality of life in children with colorectal diseases.
BACKGROUND
Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important outcome in medical care. The aim of our study was to identify characteristics associated with lower HRQoL scores in children with anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung disease (HD).


METHODS
Patients younger than 18years, with HD or ARM, who were evaluated at our center from April 2014 to August 2015, were identified. The results of comprehensive questionnaires regarding diagnosis, symptoms, comorbidities and previous medical/surgical history, and validated tools to assess urinary status, stooling status and HRQoL were evaluated.


RESULTS
In children aged 0-4years, vomiting and abdominal distension were found to be associated with a significant reduction in total HRQoL scores. In children >4years of age, vomiting, nausea, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain were also associated with a significantly lower HRQoL. The strongest predictor of lower HRQoL scores on regression tree analysis, in all age groups, was the presence of a psychological, behavioral or developmental comorbidity.


CONCLUSION
Patients with either HD or an ARM who have a psychological, behavioral or developmental problem experience significantly lower HRQoL than children without such problems, suggesting that provision of behavioral/developmental support as part of the multidisciplinary care of these children may have a substantial impact on their HRQoL.
['Lane|Victoria A|VA|', 'Nacion|Kristine M|KM|', 'Cooper|Jennifer N|JN|', 'Levitt|Marc A|MA|', 'Deans|Katherine J|KJ|', 'Minneci|Peter C|PC|']
D000293:Adolescent D000071056:Anorectal Malformations D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D003672:Defecation D005260:Female D006304:Health Status D006627:Hirschsprung Disease D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D008297:Male D011788:Quality of Life D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Quality of life Anorectal malformation Hirschsprung disease