Comparison of health related quality of life with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease

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.