Health-related quality of life in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2020 Sep;55(9):2361-2367. doi: 10.1002/ppul.24896. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is mainly caused by infections and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with BO compared to the healthy children and also to assess the HRQOL according to the etiology.

Methods: Postinfectious (group 1) and post-HSCT BO (group 2) patients and healthy children were included in the study. HRQOL was assessed by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Correlations between demographic and clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests, high-resolution chest tomography scores, and HRQOL were assessed.

Results: Thirty-seven postinfectious and post-HSCT BO patients and 34 healthy children were included in the study. Mean age was 13.8 ± 0.7 years. Mean forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume1 were 60.7 ± 2.7% predicted, and 49.8 ± 3.1% predicted, respectively. The SF-36 scores were lower in BO patients compared to healthy children (P < .01). Patients with better lung functions had higher SF-36 scores, but lower SGRQ. The number of inhaled therapies, acute exacerbations, hospitalizations were inversely correlated with SF-36. A positive correlation was found between these parameters and total SGRQ scores (r = .507, P = .02; r = .409, P = .12; r = .326, P = .049, respectively). SF-36 scores were better in group 1 for subscales of physical role functioning and social role functioning compared to group 2. (P = .01, P = .01, respectively).

Conclusion: The HRQOL of patients with BO measured by SF-36 was low compared to healthy children. SF-36 scores were more affected in post-HSCT BO patients. HRQOL of children with chronic lung disease should be taken into consideration in the management of these patients.

Keywords: bronchiolitis obliterans; children; quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans* / etiology
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans* / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Quality of Life*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / complications
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vital Capacity
  • Young Adult