Health related quality of life in common variable immunodeficiency

Abstract

Purpose: To quantify the health related quality of life in primary immunodeficiency patients.

Materials and methods: We used generic health status and general psychological health questionnaires to determine the range of issues that needed to be considered in examining the burden of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

Results: The health status of patients with CVID was lower than that observed in normal subjects. Overall, Role-Physical and General Health scales correlated with a poorer clinical status. Surprisingly, the duration of disease did not influence health status. Being female, older, General Health Questionnaire-positive and alexithymic proved to be major risk factors associated with a poor health status. Patients with chronic lung disease and chronic diarrhea had the lowest values on the Medical Outcome Study, Short Form SF-36 (SF-36) scales. Disease severity perception was associated with the General Health Questionnaire and alexithymia status. Limitations in daily activities as a result of lower physical health were the major problems facing common variable immunodeficiency patients.

Conclusion: Our data underlined the importance of conducting a periodical health related quality of life assessment on patients with primary antibody deficiencies and, moreover, stressed the necessity of providing psychological support to at risk patients.

Fig. 1

SF-36 scales, mean values in (A) CVID patients vs. normal subjects - Italian normative. (B) CVID patients vs. normal subjects (25-34 years). (C) CVID patients vs. normal subjects (35-44 years). (D) CVID patients vs. normal subjects (45-54 years). (E) CVID patients vs. normal subjects (55-64 years). Higher scores denote better health SF-36 scales. PF, physical functioning (limitations in performing physical activities such as bathing or dressing); RP, role-physical (limitations with work and other daily activities as a result of physical health); BP, bodily pain (how severe and limiting is pain); GH, general health (how general personal health is evaluated by the patient); VT, vitality (feeling tired and worn out vs. feeling full of energy); SF, social functioning (interference with normal social activities due to physical or emotional problems); RE, role-emotional (limitations with work and other daily activities as a result of emotional problems); MH, mental health (feeling nervous and depressed vs. peaceful, happy and calm). CVID, common variable immunodeficiency; SF-36, Shot From-36. Normal subjects, Italian Normative11). ^*p<0.05 t-test.