Quality of life of former preterm adolescents

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare the quality of life of adolescents born prematurely with very-low-birth-weight, reported by adolescents themselves and their caregivers, and analyze associated factors perceived by both. Methods: This cross-sectional study included former preterm adolescents born with gestational age < 37 weeks and birth weigh < 1,500 g, who were being followed up at the premature outpatient clinic of a university institution, from birth to adolescence, and their caregivers. Quality of life was assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Factors associated with quality of life were analyzed by linear regression. Results: Of 91 eligible adolescents, 73 (80.2%) were included, being 38 (52.1%) male. The mean gestational age was 30.1 ± 2.4 weeks and birth weight was 1134 ± 239 g. Adolescents reported better quality of life than their caregivers (p = 0.011), being respectively: dissatisfied (1.4 vs. 4.1%), neither satisfied nor dissatisfied (20.5 vs. 20.5%), satisfied (56.2 vs. 71.2%) and very satisfied (21.9 vs. 4.1%). Scores attributed by adolescents and caregivers were, respectively: overall quality of life (4.0 ± 0.7 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6, p = 0.032), physical domain (3.6 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.6, p = 0.685), psychological domain (3.4 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 0.6, p = 0.116), social relationships (3.7 ± 0.7 vs. 3.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.371) and environment (3.4 ± 0.7 vs. 3.2 ± 0.6, p = 0.037). For caregivers, absence of fixed partner and hospitalization in childhood decreased the overall quality of life score; furthermore, the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome increased this score. In the adolescents’ view, leukomalacia reduced this score. Conclusions: Adolescents reported better quality of life than caregivers. For adolescents, only biological factors were associated with quality of life scores; for caregivers, biological and social factors were associated this scores.