https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29067750

Pediatr Int. 2017 Oct 25. doi: 10.1111/ped.13442. [Epub ahead of print]

Kikuchi R, Mizuta K, Urahashi T, Sanada Y, Yamada N, Onuma E, Sato I1, Kamibeppu K.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome in solid organ transplantation. This study evaluated and explored the factors of generic and transplant-specific HRQOL in Japanese pediatric and adolescent patients with biliary atresia (BA) after living donor liver transplant (LDLT).

METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey using anonymous questionnaires was completed between April and July 2015. Patients' medical records were accessed. The Japanese version of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Generic Core Scales and Transplant Modules (child self-report and parent proxy-report) was administered.

RESULTS:

Participants comprised 75 patients (mean age at survey, 9.6 years) and 74 parents. Japanese patients reported higher generic and transplant-specific HRQOL (total score) than that reported by US patients with BA after LT (US I; age at survey, 7.2 years) and US patients after solid organ transplant patients (US II; age at survey, 11.3 years; LT, 53.8%) (effect sizes 0.55 to 0.96). However, Japanese parents rated their children's generic HRQOL (total score) similar to that rated by the US I and II parents (0.13 and 0.30, respectively) and reported lower transplant-specific HRQOL (total score) than that reported by US II (0.26). Although the number of types of prescribed drugs was a common factor to HRQOL, most demographic and medical factors (e.g., children's age at survey and consultation frequency) varied in each reporter (i.e., patients and parents).

CONCLUSIONS:

The levels and factors of generic and transplant-specific HRQOL of Japanese pediatric and adolescent patients with BA after LDLT varied with each reporter (i.e., patients or parents). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.