Analysis Of Quality Of Life Of Children With Dwarfism Based On The PedsQL 4.0 Core General Scale

Objective:Based on the Peds QL 4.0 core general scale,we measured the current quality of life of children with dwarfism and analyzed the factors affecting the quality of life of children with dwarfism to provide a theoretical and guiding basis for improving the quality of life of children with dwarfism.Methods:Children and their parents who attended the Children’s Health Clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University from October 2021 to December 2022 and met the criteria for nadir were selected for this study.After standard measurement of height,the subjects were divided into three groups: short group,shortish group and normal group using the height curve of Chinese children aged 0-18 years as the standard.The General Information Questionnaire and the Peds QL 4.0 self-and proxy-rated scales were used to investigate the children’s demographic information and the four dimensions of physical,emotional,social and school and total quality of life respectively.Statistical analysis methods applied included t-test,chi-square test,ANOVA,Bonferroni test,Pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.Results:1.Compared to children with normal height and short stature,children with dwarfism had significantly lower scores on all four dimensions of the self-assessment and proxy scales as well as total quality of life,with statistically significant differences(p<0.001).2.There was a strong correlation between the Peds QL 4.0 self-assessment and the four dimensions of the parental assessment and the total score,and all were positively correlated(P<0.01).3.Statistically significant differences between children with dwarfism who are only children and those who are not on the school dimension of the self-assessment and proxy scales(P<0.05).4.Statistically significant differences in school dimensions on the self-assessment scale for children with dwarfism by academic achievement(P<0.05).Statistically significant differences in physical,emotional,school and total quality of life on proxy scales for children with dwarfism by academic achievement(P<0.05).5.Statistically significant differences in the physical dimensions of the self-assessment scale among children with dwarfism with different family economic incomes(P<0.05).Statistically significant differences in emotional dimensions and total quality of life on the proxy scale for children with dwarfism by family economic income(P<0.05).6.Statistically significant differences in the physical and school dimensions of the self-assessment scale for children with dwarfism by father’s level of education(P<0.05).Statistically significant differences in physical,school,and total quality of life on proxy scales for children with dwarfism by father’s literacy level(P<0.05).7.Statistically significant differences in school dimensions and total quality of life on the self-assessment scale among children with dwarfism with different levels of maternal education(P<0.05).8.Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the factors influencing total quality of life were academic achievement and father’s educational attainment.Conclusions:1.Compared to children of normal height and short stature,children with dwarfism had significantly lower scores on all four dimensions of Peds QL 4.0 and total quality of life.2.Factors affecting the quality of life of children with dwarfism include: being an only child,family financial income,academic achievement,and parental education,with academic achievement and father’s education being important correlates.