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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2006

Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research

Gender differences in health-related quality of life of adolescents with cystic fibrosis

Authors: Renata Arrington-Sanders, Michael S Yi, Joel Tsevat, Robert W Wilmott, Joseph M Mrus, Maria T Britto

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2006

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Abstract

Background

Female patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have consistently poorer survival rates than males across all ages. To determine if gender differences exist in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adolescent patients with CF, we performed a cross-section analysis of CF patients recruited from 2 medical centers in 2 cities during 1997–2001.

Methods

We used the 87-item child self-report form of the Child Health Questionnaire to measure 12 health domains. Data was also collected on age and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). We analyzed data from 98 subjects and performed univariate analyses and linear regression or ordinal logistic regression for multivariable analyses.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 14.6 (2.5) years; 50 (51.0%) were female; and mean FEV1 was 71.6% (25.6%) of predicted. There were no statistically significant gender differences in age or FEV1. In univariate analyses, females reported significantly poorer HRQOL in 5 of the 12 domains. In multivariable analyses controlling for FEV1 and age, we found that female gender was associated with significantly lower global health (p < 0.05), mental health (p < 0.01), and general health perceptions (p < 0.05) scores.

Conclusion

Further research will need to focus on the causes of these differences in HRQOL and on potential interventions to improve HRQOL of adolescent patients with CF.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Gender differences in health-related quality of life of adolescents with cystic fibrosis
Authors
Renata Arrington-Sanders
Michael S Yi
Joel Tsevat
Robert W Wilmott
Joseph M Mrus
Maria T Britto
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-4-5

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