Psychosocial functioning and determinants of the health-related quality of life in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and cognitive impairments.

PURPOSE: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic condition associated with cutaneous and neoplastic manifestations and other physical manifestations, as well as cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioural difficulties. NF1 negatively impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children. There is limited evidence regarding the determinants of HRQoL of children with NF1. The aim of this study was to (i) compare the HRQoL of children with NF1 and cognitive impairments to published data of healthy children and children with cancer and (ii) identify specific determinants of child and parent-proxy reports of psychosocial HRQoL.

METHODS

Children with NF1 and cognitive impairments (n = 135, 8-15 years 11 months) and their parents completed standardized measures assessing children's HRQoL, behavioral and emotional functioning. Children completed a brief intelligence test. Correlations and multiple linear regressions were conducted to identify determinants of psychosocial HRQoL.

RESULTS

Children with NF1 had significantly poorer HRQoL for all domains than published data of healthy children and significantly poorer HRQoL for Psychosocial Health, School and Social Functioning than published data of children with cancer. For child self-report, attention problems and increased social stress predicted their psychosocial HRQoL. For parent-proxy reports, activities of daily living and depression were significant predictors of children's psychosocial HRQoL. Social stress and depression were the strongest predictors of Psychosocial HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Routine screening and early identification of depressive symptoms and interventions that promote social support, coping and resiliency may improve the HRQoL of children with NF1.