Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe self-reported health status and quality of life (QOL) of ambulatory youths with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with sex- and age-matched typically developing youth (TDY).

DESIGN:

Prospective cross-sectional cohort comparison.

SETTING:

Community-based.

PARTICIPANTS:

A convenience sample of 81 youth with CP (age range, 10-13 y) with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I through III and 30 TDY participated. They were recruited from 2 regional children's hospitals and 1 regional military medical center.

INTERVENTIONS:

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Participants completed the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form (CHQ-CF87) for health status and the Youth Quality of Life for QOL.

RESULTS:

Youth with CP reported significantly lower health status than age- and sex-matched TDY in the following CHQ-CF87 subscales: role/social behavioral physical, bodily pain, physical function, and general health (CP mean rank, 46.8-55.2; TDY mean rank, 62.2-80.9). There were significant differences across GMFCS levels. There were no significant differences in self-reported QOL.

CONCLUSIONS:

Self-reported health status, but not QOL, appears sensitive to the functional health issues experienced by ambulatory youth with CP. Pain management and psychosocial support may be indicated for them.