Evaluation of quality of life predictors in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease that has an impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).

OBJECTIVES: To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL in adolescents and young adults with CF.

METHODS: The sample comprised adolescent and young adult patients with CF. They completed the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life (CFQoL) questionnaire, which includes Physical, Social, Treatment, Chest Symptoms, Emotional Functioning, Future Concerns, Relationships, Body Image, and Career dimensions. We examined the relationships between gender, age, body weight, FEV1, pain, sleep, anxiety, depression and HRQoL.

RESULTS: The sample comprised 95 patients (aged 14-25 years; female/male: 43.1/56.8%). The lowest CFQoL score was observed in Future Concerns. FEV1 and body weight were positively associated with Physical Functioning (ß = 0.21; P < 0.01) and Body Image (ß = 0.30; P< 0.01), respectively. Females perceived themselves more negatively in Future Concerns (ß = -0.26; P< 0.01), Relationships (ß = -0.17; P< 0.01) and Career Concerns (ß = -0.20; P < 0.01) than males. Pain intensity (ß = -0.37), anxiety (ß = -0.39) and poor sleep quality (ß = -0.21) were negatively associated with global CFQoL (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Pain intensity, anxiety and quality of sleep have the broadest impact on HRQoL. Regular assessment of psycho-emotional functioning, quality of sleep and pain intensity may improve a patient's well-being.