Health-Related Quality of Life and Emotional Health in X-Linked Carriers of Chronic Granulomatous Disease in the United Kingdom.

X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (XL-CGD), a rare primary immunodeficiency due to a defect in the gp91phox NADPH oxidase subunit, results in recurrent, severe infection, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Patients have an absent, or significantly reduced, neutrophil oxidative burst. Due to lyonization, XL-CGD carriers have a dual population of functional and non-functional phagocytes and experience a range of symptoms including increased risk of autoimmunity, fatigue, and infection. Patients with CGD have poorer quality of life (QoL) than normal controls. We evaluated QoL and psychological health in UK XL-CGD carriers. Recruited participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 version 2 (SF-36 V2), providing an overall score for mental and physical health. Psychological health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Seventy-five XL-CGD carriers were recruited from 62 families, median age 43 years (range 3-77). Fifty-six were mothers, 6 grandmothers, and 13 siblings. Sixty-two completed the SF36v2 and had reduced QoL scores compared with adult CGD patients and a UK age-matched female control cohort, indicating a reduced QoL. Sixty-one completed a HADS questionnaire. Over 40% experienced moderate or greater levels of anxiety with only one third being classified as normal. Higher anxiety scores significantly correlated with higher depression scores, lower self-esteem, presence of joint or bowel symptoms, and higher levels of fatigue (p < 0.05). This is the first study to evaluate QoL of XL-CGD carriers, and demonstrates high rates of anxiety and significantly reduced QoL scores. XL-CGD carriers should be considered as potential patients and pro-actively assessed and managed.

Long-Term Health Outcome and Quality of Life Post-HSCT for IL7Rα-, Artemis-, RAG1- and RAG2-Deficient Severe Combined Immunodeficiency: a Single Center Report.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), but data on long-term impact of pre-HSCT chemotherapy, immune reconstitution and quality of life (QoL) of specific SCID genotypes are limited. We evaluated the long-term immune-reconstitution, health outcome and QoL in IL7Rα SCID, Artemis and RAG1 and 2 SCID survivors > 2 years post-HSCT in our center. Clinical data and immune reconstitution parameters were collated, and patients/families answered PedsQL generic core scale v4.0 questionnaires. Thirty-nine patients with a diagnosis of IL7Rα SCID (17 patients), Artemis SCID (8 patients) and RAG1/2 SCID (13 patients) had undergone HSCT with median age at last follow up for IL7Rα SCID, 14 years (range 4-27) and Artemis and RAG1/2 SCID, 10 years (range 2-18). Many patients have ongoing medical issues at latest follow-up [IL7Rα (73%), Artemis (85%), RAG1/2 (55%)]. Artemis SCID patients experienced more sequela than RAG1/2 SCID. Conditioned recipients with Artemis and RAG SCID had more CD4+ naïve lymphocytes compared to unconditioned recipients. All patients except those of IL7Rα SCID reported lower QoL; further subset group analysis showed parents and Artemis and RAG1/2 survivors without ongoing medical issues reported normal QoL. Conditioned recipients have superior long-term thymopoiesis, chimerism and immunoglobulin-independence. QoL was normal in those who did not have medical issues at long-term follow-up.

Long-term outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for IL2RG/JAK3 SCID: a cohort report.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) cures the T-lymphocyte, B-lymphocyte, and natural killer (NK)-cell differentiation defect in interleukin-2 γ-chain receptor (IL2RG)/JAK3 severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). We evaluated long-term clinical features, longitudinal immunoreconstitution, donor chimerism, and quality of life (QoL) of IL2RG/JAK3 SCID patients >2 years post-HSCT at our center. Clinical data were collated and patients/families answered PedsQL Generic Core Scale v4.0 questionnaires. We performed longitudinal analyses of CD3+, CD4+ naive T-lymphocyte, CD19+, and NK-cell numbers from pretransplant until 15 years posttransplant. Thirty-one of 43 patients (72%) survived. Median age at last follow-up was 10 years (range, 2-25 years). Twenty-one (68%) had persistent medical issues, mainly ongoing immunoglobulin replacement (14; 45%), cutaneous viral warts (7; 24%), short stature (4; 14%), limb lymphoedema (3; 10%), and bronchiectasis (2; 7%). Lung function was available and normal for 6 patients. Longitudinal analysis demonstrated sustained CD3+, CD19+, and NK-cell output 15 years post-HSCT. CD4+ naive lymphocyte numbers were better in conditioned vs unconditioned recipients (P, .06). B-lymphocyte and myeloid chimerism were highly correlated (ρ, 0.98; P < .001). Low-toxicity myeloablative conditioning recipients have better B-lymphocyte/myeloid chimerism and are free from immunoglobulin replacement therapy. IL2RG/JAK3 SCID survivors free from immunoglobulin replacement have normal QoL.

Cognitive ability in children with chronic granulomatous disease: a comparison of those managed conservatively with those who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency managed conservatively or with hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Studies have shown people with CGD and those transplanted for primary immunodeficiencies have lower than average cognitive ability. In this study, IQ in children with CGD and those transplanted for it was within the normal range.

Health related quality of life and emotional health in children with chronic granulomatous disease: a comparison of those managed conservatively with those that have undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplant.

PURPOSE: Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency that predisposes to life-threatening infections and inflammation. Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can cure CGD. Chronic illness reduces quality of life. Children with haematological malignancies report improved quality of life post-HSCT. There are no data for children with CGD. This study evaluated quality of life and emotional well-being in CGD children treated conventionally or transplanted. METHODS: Parents and children completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory v4.0 (PedsQL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ). Mean scores were compared with published UK norms. Comparisons were made for those that had or had not undergone HSCT. RESULTS: Forty-seven parents completed PedsQL (children aged 3-15). Twenty-one were post-HSCT. Forty-two completed SDQ (children aged 3-15). Nineteen post-HSCT. Median age for non-HSCT group 9 years. Median age for post-HSCT group 10 years. The HSCT group were median 3 years post-HSCT (range 1-9 years). HSCT survival was 90 %-two died without completing questionnaires Parent and self-reported quality of life for non-transplanted children was significantly lower than healthy children. Parents reported increased emotional difficulties compared to published norms. PedsQL and SDQ scores for transplanted children were not significantly different from healthy norms. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the quality of life is reduced in CGD. Transplanted patients have quality of life comparable to levels reported in healthy children. This data will help inform families and clinicians when deciding about treatment and may have relevance for other immunodeficiencies treated with transplant.