Health-related quality of life of children with newly diagnosed specific learning disability.

The objective of this study was to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) of children with newly diagnosed specific learning disability (SpLD) using the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50. We detected clinically significant deficits (effect size > or = -0.5) in 9 out of 12 domains: limitations in family activities, emotional impact on parents, social limitations as a result of emotional-behavioral problems, time impact on parents, general behavior, physical functioning, social limitations as a result of physical health, general health perceptions and mental health; and in both summary scores (psychosocial > physical). Multivariate analysis revealed having > or = 1 non-academic problem(s) (p < 0.0001), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (p = 0.005) or first-born status (p = 0.009) predicted a poor psychosocial summary score; and having > or =1 non-academic problem(s) (p = 0.006) or first-born status (p = 0.035) predicted a poor physical summary score. HRQL is significantly compromised in children having newly diagnosed SpLD.

Impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on health-related quality-of-l ife of specific learning disability children [corrected].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with newly diagnosed specific learning disability (SpLD). METHODS: From September 2005 to March 2006, 150 parents (either mother or father) of children consecutively diagnosed as having SpLD were enrolled. The Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50) was used to measure parent-reported HRQOL. CHQ-PF50 mean domain and summary scores computed for "SpLD/ADHD" and "SpLD only" children groups were compared using Independent Samples t-test. RESULTS: HRQOL of "SpLD/ADHD" children was significantly poorer in four domains: emotional impact on parents (mean difference: -11.0; 95% CI: -18.75--3.25; P = 0.006), general behavior (-9.61; 95% CI: -15.44--3.78; P = 0.002), time impact on parents (-9.51; 95% CI: -18.42--0.60; P = 0.038), and, self esteem (-7.62; 95% CI: -13.98--1.26; P = 0.020); and in overall psychosocial functioning (-5.34; 95% CI: -8.49--2.19; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Co-occurring ADHD adversely impacts the HRQOL of children with newly diagnosed SpLD especially in domains related to their psychosocial functioning.