The health-related quality of life of children with multiple sclerosis is mediated by the health-related quality of life of their parents.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We previously found that children with the chronic disease multiple sclerosis (MS) reported lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) when compared to children who experienced the transient illness termed monophasic acquired demyelinating syndromes (monoADS). Parents of children with MS also reported lower HRQoL.

Objectives

We evaluated whether parental HRQoL mediated the relationship between the diagnosis of MS and the HRQoL of affected children. To ascertain the effect of an MS diagnosis, we compared children with MS to those with monoADS.

Methods

Children were enrolled in a prospective multi-site Canadian study. Random effects models evaluated whether parental HRQoL mediated the relationship between the diagnosis of MS and the HRQoL of affected children, adjusting for child and family characteristics.

Results

207 parent-child dyads (65 MS; 142 monoADS) completed HRQoL questionnaires. When we modeled the child's HRQoL adjusting for covariates, but not the parent's HRQoL, the diagnosis of MS associated with lower HRQoL of the child (p = 0.004). When we added parental HRQOL to the model, the association between the diagnosis of MS and the child's HRQoL diminished (p = 0.13).

Conclusions

Parental HRQoL mediated the relationship between the diagnosis of MS and the HRQoL of affected children, emphasizing the importance of family-centered care.

SUBMITTER: O'Mahony J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9189724 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature