RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Comparison of health related quality of life with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease
JF Heart
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP 517
OP 520
DO 10.1136/hrt.2003.032722
VO 91
IS 4
A1 Hager, A
A1 Hess, J
YR 2005
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/91/4/517.abstract
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.