The estimation of quality of life of children with diseases of musculoskeletal system.

Abstract

The study of life quality was carried out covering 432 children aged 6-17 years with diseases of musculoskeletal system on the basis of the cardio-rheumatological department of the Republican Children Clinical Hospital and children polyclinics of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The Russian version of the SF-36 questionnaire was applied which included 11 questions. The physical and emotional state was studied in 4 age groups: 6-8 years old (8.56%), 9-11 years old (20.14%), 12-14 years old (35.65%), 15-17 years old (35. 65%). The average age of children was 13.06±3.9 years. The significant influence of rheumatic diseases on parameters of life-quality of patients was established: physical and psychological state of children suffers, social adaptation is disturbed. According to the study results, the most problematic age group are children aged 15-17 years, who characterize their condition as mediocre (35.1%). Particular attention should be paid to the fact that there was no improvement in health state during a year among significant proportion of patients (65.3%). The obtained results testify limitation of physical state of health in 78.5% of cases, the most noticeable in age group of 15-17 years. The direct correlation between increase in pain syndrome and age of patient is established. In all age groups, there is decrease in emotional state, which increases with age. The indices of physical component of health in all age groups are significantly lower than the mental one. There are no significant gender differences in respondents assessment of life quality. The indices of life quality of children are generally characterized as low and do not reach 50 points on 100-point scale.The identified problematic age groups require increased attention from pediatric service of the Republic. The anxiety is caused by increase of negative symptoms in older age groups. The study results indicates both low efficiency of specialized rheumatological care of children and need for increased attention to dispensary work with this group of patients at early stages of disease.