Quality of life in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the subjective impact on children and parents

J Child Neurol. 2011 Jun;26(6):707-13. doi: 10.1177/0883073810389043. Epub 2011 Apr 11.

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy results in a broad spectrum of physical and psychosocial consequences, both to patient and caregivers. This study was aimed to explore health-related quality of life and its possible determinants in Duchenne muscular dystrophy children and in their parents. Caregivers (21 mothers and 6 fathers; mean age, 40.04 years) of 27 Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients (mean age, 11.26 years) completed the validated Children Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50 and the Family Strain Questionnaire. Children reported significantly lower scores than normative group in 10 of 15 Children Health Questionnaire dimensions. Only the use of wheelchairs (P = .02) and ventilators (P < .001) was significantly associated to lower health-related quality of life in Physical Functioning. On the contrary, Family Strain Questionnaire scores were not influenced by children's characteristics. Despite the presence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy deeply impairs health-related quality of life, some areas of well-being are present both in children and caregivers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Cost of Illness
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / psychology*
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires