The health-related quality of life in children with arachnoid cysts. Clinical predictors and parent-child perspectives.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, arachnoid cysts (AC) are usually detected by coincidence and are frequently considered as clinically mute. Even though an AC does not usually result in serious symptoms, the diagnosis itself can have a significant impact on the patients and their families, especially in terms of psychological functioning and quality of life. METHODS: Participants were 22 children diagnosed with AC and their parents. We analyzed patients' medical records and assessed them using the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, fifth edition. Additionally, both children and parents filled in the Polish version of the PedsQL™ 4.0 generic core module. RESULTS: The Health-RelatedQuality of Life (HRQOL) is not related to objective predictors such as radiological predictors and SB 5 results. However, there is a correlation between the HRQOL, and symptoms given in the interview. Secondly, parents assess the HRQOL of their children worse compared to the children's own ratings. Lastly, children with AC assess the HRQOL in a way that is similar to the assessment done by healthy children in the original study describing PedsQL™, whereas parents assess children's HRQOL in a way rather similar to the assessment done by parents of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the impact of the disease's image and understanding on the HRQOL. Basing on our results we conclude the important role of psychological support for patients with AC. We furthermore conclude that parents of children with AC assess the HRQOL of children worse compared to the children's own ratings.