Comparison of health related quality of life with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Correspondence to:
Dr Alfred Hager
Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, Lazarettstrasse 36, D-80636 Munich, Germany; a-hagerweb.de
- Accepted 19 May 2004
Abstract
Objectives: To compare self reported quality of life with measured exercise capacity in patients with congenital heart disease.
Design: Prospective cross sectional clinical study
Setting: Tertiary referral centre for congenital cardiology
Patients and methods: 149 patients (60 female, 14–60 years old) with various congenital heart defects completed a health related quality of life questionnaire (medical outcomes study 36 item short form). Then they performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a bicycle in a sitting position.
Results: Peak oxygen uptake correlated significantly with the physical functioning (r = 0.521, p < 0.0005) and general health scales (r = 0.313, p < 0.0005) but not with role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health, and health transition scales. Closer examination of the data showed that despite an overall good correlation a substantial number of patients overestimated their physical capabilities.
Conclusions: Exercise tests and quality of life instruments should be used together to get an appropriate overview of the health status of patients with congenital heart disease.
Footnotes
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Presented in part at the Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology, 30 March to April 2003, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
