Health-related quality of life in children with vesicoureteral reflux – Impact of successful endoscopic therapy

Schwentner, C.; Oswald, J.; Lunacek, A.; Schlenck, B.; Pelzer, A.E.; Schwentner, I.; Hofer, S.; Bartsch, G.; Radmayr, C.

doi:10.1016/j.jpurol.2007.08.002

« Previous Next »Journal of Pediatric Urology
Volume 4, Issue 1 , Pages 20-26, February 2008

Health-related quality of life in children with vesicoureteral reflux – Impact of successful endoscopic therapy

C. Schwentner
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- C.S. and I.S. contributed equally.
J. Oswald
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
A. Lunacek
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
B. Schlenck
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
A.E. Pelzer
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
I. Schwentner
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- C.S. and I.S. contributed equally.
S. Hofer
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
G. Bartsch
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
C. Radmayr
- Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University, Anichstr. 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +43 512 504 24811; fax: +43 512 504 28365.

Received 22 May 2007; accepted 3 August 2007. published online 27 September 2007.

Abstract

Objectives

Endoscopic therapy for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) using dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA) has become increasingly popular, but the subjective impact of this therapy and subsequent reflux resolution on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to address this issue.

Materials and methods

One hundred children (65 girls, 35 boys; mean age 4.46 years) cured of primary VUR by endoscopic treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The Glasgow children's benefit inventory (GCBI) – a validated, reproducible, post-interventional questionnaire consisting of four subscales – supplemented by sociodemographic and disease-specific questions was employed. The HRQoL benefit was calculated on a scale ranging from −100 (complete failure) to +100 (complete success) and correlated with supplementary data.

Results

Total response rate was 88%. Mean total GCBI score was 28.4±20.3 representing a significant HRQoL amelioration. All GCBI subscores improved with the physical health subscale being most relevant. A gender-specific, significant difference in relative GCBI scores was discovered. Correlation with critical life events and time since operation proved the positive effect on HRQoL to be durable.

Conclusions

Resolution of primary VUR secondary to Dx/HA treatment significantly improves HRQoL. HRQoL is positively affected in many areas and not only in those directly associated with VUR. These improvements are not temporary, suggesting that successful Dx/HA therapy may be superior to medical management in terms of children's quality of life.

Keywords: Vesicoureteral reflux, Endoscopic therapy, Quality of life, Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid, Glasgow children's benefit inventory