Health-Related Quality of Life of Adults with Childhood Diagnosis of Specific Language Impairment

Abstract

Objective: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults with childhood diagnosis of specific language impairment (SLI) was evaluated. Patients and Methods: Fifty-two patients with a childhood diagnosis of SLI were asked to fill out the 15D-HRQoL questionnaire. The patients were selected from a hospital setting from psychological examination reports showing a below-average verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) and a normal performance intelligence quotient (PIQ). The 15D was completed adequately by 33 patients (response rate 63.5%). The results were compared with those of age- and gender-matched controls. Results: The total 15D score of the study group was lower than that of population controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The study group performed significantly worse on the dimensions of speech, usual activities, mental function and distress. Gender or PIQ in childhood was not correlated with the 15D scores or dimension scores in adulthood. Childhood VIQ was associated with the dimensions of mental function (p < 0.01) and usual activities (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results support earlier findings that SLI affects the entire life span. Identification of prognostic factors and a prolonged follow-up of SLI patients could improve the QoL of these patients.