Health-related quality of life in children with congenital vascular malformations

A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with congenital vascular malformations (CVM) and to investigate factors associated with an impaired HRQOL. Children (2-17 years) with CVMs who visited the HECOVAN expertise center between 2016-2018 were included. The PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales were used and a score >= 1.0 SD below the normative mean was defined as an impaired HRQOL. Factors associated with impairment were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The median overall HRQOL was 84.8/100 (n = 207; 41% boys, 59% girls; self-reported IQR 73.9-92.4 and parent-reported IQR 71.4-92.4). Patients aged 13-17 years reported significantly worse physical functioning than those aged 8-12 years (median 84.4, IQR 71.1-93.8 versus median 90.6, IQR 81.3-96.9; p = 0.02). Parents reported a significantly lower overall HRQOL than their children (median 80.4, IQR 70.7-90.8 versus median 85.9, IQR 76.1-92.4; p = 0.001). HRQOL was impaired in 25% of patients. Impairment occurred significantly more often in lower extremity CVMs (38%, p = 0.01) and multifocal CVMs (47%, p = 0.01) compared to CVMs in the head/neck region (13%). Other associated factors included invasive management (31% versus 14%; p = 0.01), age at first treatment <= 5 years (48% versus 25%; p = 0.02) and ongoing treatment (38% versus 18%; p = 0.004). After correction for other factors, significance remained for lower extremity CVMs and ongoing invasive treatment.Conclusions: Overall median HRQOL was reasonable and not significantly different from the norm sample. Parental ratings were significantly lower than their children's ratings. A quarter of the patients had an impaired HRQOL, which seemed to worsen with age. Independently associated factors included a lower extremity CVM and invasive management. What is Known:center dot Congenital vascular malformations could affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL).center dot Studies on pediatric patients are limited and either very small or in combination with adult patient series.What is New:center dot This study raises awareness of an impaired HRQOL in 25% of pediatric patients with congenital vascular malformations.center dot Associated factors included a lower extremity CVM and invasive management.