To assess overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) and evaluate the contributions of various health factors, including psychosocial and physical aspects, across ICF domains.
Key Findings:
The mean PROMIS Pediatric Global Health score for the cohort was significantly lower than the general population, indicating a substantial impact on HRQOL.
Minimal correlations were found between physical examination components and PROMIS scores, suggesting limited physical function impact.
Strong positive correlations with PROMIS scores were observed for emotional functioning and family/peer relationships, highlighting the importance of psychosocial factors.
Latent factors included social/family relationships, self-image, sensation, motor function, and physical structure.
Interpretation:
BPBI negatively impacts overall HRQOL in childhood, primarily driven by psychosocial factors and pain rather than physical function, suggesting a need to shift treatment focus towards addressing these psychosocial aspects.
Limitations:
Sample limited to North American patients, restricting generalizability.
Cross-sectional design limits conclusions about changes over time or treatment effects.
Potential biases in self-reported measures may affect the accuracy of PROM scores.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the importance of addressing psychosocial factors in the treatment of BPBI to improve overall HRQOL in affected children.
by Andrea S. Bauer, M. Claire Manske, Jenny M. Dorich, Patricia E. Miller, Rebecca Aguiar, Tamara Al-Muhtaseb, Allison Allgier, Melissa Miller, Kristen M. Davidge, Roger Cornwall
Colorectal cancer (CRC) impacts about 1 in 13,000 pregnancies in the United States. This article follows the case of a 36-year-old woman diagnosed with CRC while pregnant and highlights considerations around CRC diagnosis and cancer treatment during pregnancy.
