1.Health Related Quality of Life in Common Variable Immunodeficiency.
Isabella QUINTI ; Cristina DI PIETRO ; Helene MARTINI ; Anna Maria PESCE ; Francesca LOMBARDI ; Maddalena BAUMGHARTNER ; Stefania COLANTUONO ; Cinzia MILITO ; Stefano TABOLLI
Yonsei Medical Journal 2012;53(3):603-610
PURPOSE: To quantify the health related quality of life in primary immunodeficiency patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used generic health status and general psychological health questionnaires to determine the range of issues that needed to be considered in examining the burden of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). RESULTS: The health status of patients with CVID was lower than that observed in normal subjects. Overall, Role-Physical and General Health scales correlated with a poorer clinical status. Surprisingly, the duration of disease did not influence health status. Being female, older, General Health Questionnaire-positive and alexithymic proved to be major risk factors associated with a poor health status. Patients with chronic lung disease and chronic diarrhea had the lowest values on the Medical Outcome Study, Short Form SF-36 (SF-36) scales. Disease severity perception was associated with the General Health Questionnaire and alexithymia status. Limitations in daily activities as a result of lower physical health were the major problems facing common variable immunodeficiency patients. CONCLUSION: Our data underlined the importance of conducting a periodical health related quality of life assessment on patients with primary antibody deficiencies and, moreover, stressed the necessity of providing psychological support to at risk patients.
Chronic Disease
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Common Variable Immunodeficiency/*physiopathology
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Female
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Health Status
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Humans
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Male
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*Quality of Life
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Questionnaires