PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hager, A
AU  - Hess, J
TI  - Comparison of health related quality of life with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease
AID  - 10.1136/hrt.2003.032722
DP  - 2005 Apr 01
TA  - Heart
PG  - 517--520
VI  - 91
IP  - 4
4099  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/91/4/517.short
4100  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/91/4/517.full
SO  - Heart2005 Apr 01; 91
AB  - 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.