Objectives: Data on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with single-ventricle physiology (SVP) are scarce. We sought (1) to describe the perceived health status, quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and sense of coherence in adult survivors with SVP, (2) to compare PROs across functional classes, and (3) to compare PROs between patients and controls. Methods: A case-control study in two adult congenital heart programmes with 62 adult survivors with SVP were matched to 172 healthy controls. A wide range of PROs were measured using validated questionnaires. The treating physician classified patients according to the Ability Index. Results: Patients with SVP have a good functional status. Patients in Ability Index class I consistently reported the best scores, similar to those of healthy controls. Negative associations were found between functional class and outcomes of perceived health and quality of life. For patients in Ability Index class II and III, PROs were poorer. Conclusions: PROs in patients with SVP are generally good.
While in general there was no significant differences in overall health behaviors between SVP patients and controls, SVP patients are less physically active and are less likely to binge drink.
When cardiologists and patients are assessing functional status using the Ability Index, two different constructs are measured. These assessments cannot be interchanged, but should be used complementarily. Because the assessment of the patients regarding the Ability Index is more precise in terms of explaining PRO, it could be valuable as a simple crude marker to identify patients at risk for poor functional and psychosocial outcomes.
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