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BioMed Central, Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 1(13), 2015

DOI: 10.1186/s12955-015-0226-4

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Quality of life in caregivers of children and adolescents with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Abstract Background Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders of collagen biosynthesis, characterized by low bone density leading to fractures. Most patients exhibit functional impairment and require the aid of a caregiver. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of patients with OI. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sampling strategy was used to enroll adult caregivers of children and adolescents with OI who attended a referral center in southern Brazil. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument was used to assess QoL. Results Twenty-four caregivers of 27 patients (10 with type I, 4 with type III, and 13 with type IV OI) were included in the study. Eighteen caregivers were the patients’ mothers, two had OI, and 22 cared for only one patient. Mean WHOQOL-BREF scores were 14.59 for the physical health domain, 13.80 for the psychological domain, 15.19 for the social relationships domain, and 12.87 for the environmental domain; the mean total QoL score was 14.16. QoL scores did not differ significantly according to patients’ OI type or number of fractures. Economic status was not correlated significantly with QoL scores. Conclusions QoL appears to be impaired in caregivers of patients with OI. Additional studies are required to confirm these findings and to ascertain which factors account for this phenomenon.