Cardiovascular Surgery and Interventions 2021, Vol 8, Num 2 Page(s): 086-090
Assessment of quality of life and psychosocial status of mothers whose children underwent congenital heart surgery

Serçin Taşar1, Mehmet Taşar2

1Department of Pediatrics, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
2Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity, Child Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Keywords: Congenital heart disease, quality of life, surgery
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of mothers whose children underwent cardiac surgery.

Patients and methods: This prospective, case-control study included a total of 103 children (52 males, 51 females; mean age: 59.1±56.1 months; range, 1 month-18 years) who underwent congenital heart surgery and their mothers between September 2019 and April 2020. The children who underwent cardiac surgery and their mothers were included as the study group (n=48). The control group (n=55) included healthy children and their mothers. Sociodemographic data of the children and their mothers were recorded. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was administered to the mothers.

Results: Both groups were similar in terms of age, sex, height, and birth weight, maternal age, education and marital status, and presence of comorbidities (p>0.05). The scores in a 0-100 scale of physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment domains of the WHOQOL-BREF were statistically lower in the study group (p<0.05). Intensive care duration was negatively correlated with all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.05). The domains except for the environment were negatively correlated with the hospital stay (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Lower scores of WHOQOL-BREF were achieved in mothers whose children underwent congenital cardiac surgery. Length of intensive care and hospital stay was negatively correlated with the WHOQOL-BREF. Routine screening and counseling may be valuable in this patient population.

DOI : 10.5606/e-cvsi.2021.1137