Health‐related quality of life, pain, and fatigue in young adults with cerebral palsy

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology 2020-03, Vol.62 (3), p.372-378
• Main Authors: Jacobson, Dan N O, Löwing, Kristina, Tedroff, Kristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cerebral Palsy - complications; Cerebral Palsy - physiopathology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fatigue - complications; Fatigue - diagnosis; Fatigue - physiopathology; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Pain - complications; Pain - diagnosis; Pain - physiopathology; Pain Measurement; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14413

Aim To describe health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), pain, fatigue, and other health variables in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP), and to explore associations with the Gross Motor Function Classification System – Expanded and Revised (GMFCS‐ER) and physical activity. Method This was a cross‐sectional study of 61 young adults at a mean age of 21 years 2 months (standard deviation 8mo, range 20–22y) with CP, from a geographically defined area. Data collection included: Short Form 36 version 2 for HRQoL, Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form, Fatigue Severity Scale, level of physical activity, medical history, and physical examination. Results Overall HRQoL equalled that of population norms; however self‐reported physical health was lower in GMFCS‐ER levels III to V compared to GMFCS‐ER levels I to II. Self‐reported mental health was, inversely, lower in GMFCS‐ER levels I to II compared to GMFCS‐ER levels III to V. Pain prevalence was 49%, and pain was present across all GMFCS‐ER levels. Fatigue, as well as sleep problems, had 41% prevalence, with fatigue severity decreasing with increasing level of physical activity. Interpretation General HRQoL in young adults with CP was comparable to population norms. Pain and fatigue are important to address in high motor‐functioning individuals also. Physical activity could be a possible protective factor against fatigue. What this paper adds Health‐related quality of life in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) was comparable to population norms. Pain, fatigue, and sleep problems occurred at all Gross Motor Function Classification System levels. There is a possible protective effect of physical activity on fatigue. Resumen Calidad de vida relacionada con salud, dolor, fatiga en adultos jóvenes con parálisis cerebral Objetivo Describir calidad de vida relacionada con salud (CDVRS), dolor, fatiga y otras variables de salud en adultos jóvenes con parálisis cerebral (PC) y explorar la asociación con el sistema de clasificación función motora gruesa ampliado y revisado (GMFCS‐ER) y actividades físicas. Metodo Un estudio transversal de 61 adultos jóvenes a una edad media de 21 años y 2 meses (desvío estándar [DE] 8 meses, rango 20‐22 años) con PC incluidos en un área geográfica definida. La recolección de los datos incluyó: formulario corto versión 36 (versión 2) para la salud relacionada con calidad de vida, inventario breve del dolor, escala de gravedad de fatiga, nivel de actividad física, historial médico y examen