Table 2.
Impairments and predictors of quality of life (QoL) for young people with cerebral palsy who self-reported QoL
|
Cross-sectional sample (adolescence only) (n=431) |
Longitudinal sample (n=355) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childhood | Adolescence | |||
| Impairments | ||||
| Gross Motor Function Classification System | ||||
| I Walks and climbs stairs, without limitation | 199 (46%) | 145 (41%) | 172 (49%) | |
| II Walks with limitations | 83 (19%) | 93 (26%) | 67 (19%) | |
| III Walks with assistive devices | 58 (13%) | 61 (17%) | 46 (13%) | |
| IV Unable to walk, limited self-mobility | 52 (12%) | 39 (11%) | 37 (10%) | |
| V Unable to walk, severely limited self-mobility | 38 (9%) | 17 (5%) | 33 (9%) | |
| Missing | 1 (<1%) | 0 | 0 | |
| Bimanual Fine Motor Function | ||||
| I Without limitation | 201 (47%) | 164 (46%) | 170 (48%) | |
| II & III Moderate restrictions | 187 (43%) | 161 (45%) | 151 (43%) | |
| IV & V Severe restrictions | 40 (9%) | 30 (8%) | 33 (9%) | |
| Missing | 3 (1%) | 0 | 1 (<1%) | |
| Seizures in the previous year | ||||
| No seizures (either with or without medication) | 393 (91%) | 328 (92%) | 326 (92%) | |
| Seizures | 33 (8%) | 27 (8%) | 27 (8%) | |
| Missing | 5 (1%) | 0 | 2 (1%) | |
| Feeding | ||||
| Feeds by mouth with no problems | 394 (91%) | 317 (89%) | 327 (92%) | |
| Feeds by mouth with difficulty, or by tube | 35 (8%) | 38 (11%) | 26 (7%) | |
| Missing | 2 (<1%) | 0 | 2 (1%) | |
| Communication | ||||
| Normal | 352 (82%) | 289 (81%) | 298 (84%) | |
| Communication difficulties | 77 (18%) | 66 (19%) | 55 (15%) | |
| Missing | 2 (<1%) | 0 | 2 (1%) | |
| Intellectual impairment | ||||
| IQ >70 | 285 (66%) | 258 (73%) | 248 (70%) | |
| IQ ≤70 | 145 (34%) | 94 (26%) | 107 (30%) | |
| Missing | 1 (<1%) | 3 (1%) | 0 | |
| Cerebral palsy subtype | ||||
| Unilateral spastic | 175 (41%) | 152 (43%) | 152 (43%) | |
| Bilateral spastic | 210 (49%) | 169 (48%) | 171 (48%) | |
| Dyskinetic | 29 (7%) | 25 (7%) | 22 (6%) | |
| Ataxic | 12 (3%) | 8 (2%) | 8 (2%) | |
| Missing | 5 (1%) | 1 (<1%) | 2 (1%) | |
| Postulated predictors of QoL* | ||||
| Self-reported frequency of pain in previous week | ||||
| None | .. | 164 (46%) | 109 (31%) | |
| Once or twice | .. | 97 (27%) | 121 (34%) | |
| Frequent | .. | 87 (25%) | 122 (34%) | |
| Missing | .. | 7 (2%) | 3 (1%) | |
| Total difficulties score of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent reported) | ||||
| Normal (<14) | .. | 231 (65%) | 229 (65%) | |
| Borderline (14–16) | .. | 50 (14%) | 57 (16%) | |
| Abnormal (>16) | .. | 74 (21%) | 67 (19%) | |
| Missing | .. | 0 | 2 (1%) | |
| Total stress score of Parenting Stress Index | ||||
| Normal (<86) | .. | 242 (68%) | 226 (64%) | |
| Borderline (86–90) | .. | 29 (8%) | 23 (6%) | |
| Abnormal (>90) | .. | 82 (23%) | 99 (28%) | |
| Missing | .. | 2 (1%) | 7 (2%) | |
Data are n (%).
*
Cross-sectional analysis did not use these predictors.