Comparison of health related quality of life with cardiopulmonary exercise testing in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease.

Abstract

To compare self reported quality of life with measured exercise capacity in patients with congenital heart disease. Prospective cross sectional clinical study. Tertiary referral centre for congenital cardiology. 149 patients (60 female, 14-60 years old) with various congenital heart defects completed a health related quality of life questionnaire (medical outcomes study 36 item short form). Then they performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a bicycle in a sitting position. Peak oxygen uptake correlated significantly with the physical functioning (r = 0.521, p < 0.0005) and general health scales (r = 0.313, p < 0.0005) but not with role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health, and health transition scales. Closer examination of the data showed that despite an overall good correlation a substantial number of patients overestimated their physical capabilities. Exercise tests and quality of life instruments should be used together to get an appropriate overview of the health status of patients with congenital heart disease.