Low health-related quality of life in adult individuals with multiple limb deficiencies compared with population-based reference values.

Abstract

Knowledge on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in multiple limb deficiencies (LDs) is limited. To investigate self-reported HRQoL in multiple LDs, assess differences between congenital LD and acquired LD and sex, and to evaluate associations between the types of LDs, demographic variables, and HRQoL. Cross-sectional cohort study. A total of 106 individuals with multiple limb deficiencies treated at the EX-Center were invited by mail to fill out the Short Form-36 survey. Responses from 62 participants, mean age ± SD 49.5 ± 14.2, showed that 43 had congenital LD and 19 had acquired LD. Responders reported reduced HRQoL in all Short Form-36 domains except Role-Emotional, compared with reference values (P < 0.05-<0.001). Individuals with a congenital LD reported worse Bodily Pain than acquired LD (P < 0.05), and women reported lower Physical Function than men (P < 0.05). Sick leave was negatively associated with physical composite score. Living in a rural area was positively associated with Mental Health (P < 0.01), and congenital LD was negatively associated with Vitality (P < 0.05). Individuals with multiple LDs in Sweden have lower HRQoL compared with reference values. There are significant associations between sick leave and physical function, rural living and mental health, and the type of LD and vitality.