Cmam. Vanderhorst et al., PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH PORT-WINE STAINS, British Journal of Plastic Surgery, 50(6), 1997, pp. 463-467
Objectives: To assess the impact of a facial port wine stain (PWS) on
behavioural problems in children and on health related quality of life
in adults applying for laser treatment. Design: A survey by questionn
aire of patients with PWS not previously treated. Outcome measures: Tw
o standard general instruments and a more specific PWS questionnaire w
ere used. Adolescents and adults (13-31 years) received a short versio
n of the RAND Health Insurance Questionnaire from the Medical Outcome
Study (MOS-24). Children's (4-12 years) parents received the Child Beh
aviour Checklist (CBCL). A specific PWS questionnaire was sent to both
age groups. Analysis: The results of the MOS-24 were compared with th
ose of a reference population without chronic illness. Observed behavi
our in children was compared with data from a Dutch reference group, f
rom children with constipation and from another group of children with
a PWS. Results: 41 MOS-24 and 41 CBCL were returned (91% and 95% resp
onse rates, respectively). Adolescents and adults reported little effe
ct on role and social functioning, but showed low scores for mental he
alth, self-perceived health and vitality/health. Children's parents re
ported no clinically significant problem behaviour (T-score > 70). Adu
lts experienced more negative psycho-social consequences of having a P
WS than children (specific PWS questionnaire). Conclusions: Children w
ith PWS do not show significant problem behaviour. Adolescents and adu
lts reported less vitality/energy than was expected in this age group.
Adolescents and adults showed statistically significant negative cons
equences of their PWS in social contacts compared to children (P less
than or equal to 0.01, Mann-Whitney).