Abstract

SANCHEZ, Camila; EYMANN, Alfredo  and  DE CUNTO, Carmen. Health-related quality of life in children with chronic conditions lodged at a comprehensive accommodation in the City of Buenos Aires. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2014, vol.112, n.3, pp.231-238. ISSN 0325-0075.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5546/aap.2014.231.

Introduction.The treatment of chronic diseases usually requires a multidisciplinary professional training.There are comprehensive accommodations that are adapted to the needs of the families that have to stay away from home for long periods. Objectives.To assess the impact of a comprehensive accommodation on the health-related quality of life of children with chronic conditions seen at a hospital of the City of Buenos Aires compared to children lodged at a traditional accommodation and to healthy children. To analyze the agreement between children's and caregivers' opinions. Metfeods.Cross-sectional, observational study. Group 1:children with chronic conditions lodged at a comprehensive accommodation. Group 2: children with chronic conditions lodged at a traditional accommodation. Group 3: healthy children. The Argentine version of the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire was used. A value of p < 0.05, the effect size (ES) > 0.20, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.60 were considered significant. Results.Two hundred and fifty children/caregiver dyads (50 in each chronic group and 150 healthy controls). Mean age: 12.6 years old (range: 8-18 years old), 56% were males. The children in Group 1 showed better moods and emotions, a better relationship with parents and peers, and a better school environment than those in Group 2 (p < 0.05, ES > 0.20). Agreement between children's and caregivers' opinion was low, especially in relation to psychosocial dimensions (ICC < 0.29). Conclusions.In spite of their uprooting, children with chronic conditions are capable of maintaining a good relationship with their parents, a good peer bond and social support, and do not need discontinue their education while lodged at a comprehensive accommodation adapted to their needs during their stay in the City of Buenos Aires.

Keywords : Health-related quality of life; Chronic condition; Children.

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