Nazli Gul Shujaat, Shujaat Hasan Idris, Afzal Sheikh, Sonia Afzal, Maheen Aftab.
Relationship between quality of life and psychosocial functioning among children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate.
Pak Oral Dental J Jan ;34(4):583-7.

This study aimed at assessing the relationship between quality of life and psychosocial functioning the among children and adolescents diagnosed with cleft lip and palate (CLP) in Lahore. The age range of the study sample was 15 years and below. The survey was conducted at Arif Memorial Hospital Lahore in 2014. A cross-sectional survey was carried out. All children aged 15 years and below who were diagnosed with Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP), were included in the sample. All other age groups and patients, who came to the hospital with people other than their parents, were excluded. The data for this study were collected by carrying out an interview with the parents of the patients using a pre-tested questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions pertaining to the quality of life of the children and depression. Actual depression was not measured, however, the depression like symptoms were noted and were considered to be the former for this study. Data analysis was done using the IBM SPSS version 20. The results showed the CLP patients having the highest frequency (44.4%) of the condition in children less than 5 years followed by 5-10 year old (38.5%) and 10-15 year old children (17.1%). The frequency of mild pain was the highest in all age groups as compared to moderate or severe pain. Children less than 5 years old had the highest incidence of mild pain and had a lower rate of depression as compared to 5-10 and 10-15year olds. Restriction of school activities due to CLP also led to more depression in all children attending school. Chi-square analysis revealed a statistically significant association between discomfort in eating and depression like symptoms (p=0.056) and highly significant associations between discomfort during sleep and patient age (p=0.001) discomfort during sleep and depression like symptoms (p=0.001), pain and depression like symptoms (p=0.001), patient age and depression like symptoms (p=0.000), restriction of school activities and patient age (p=0.000), and restriction of school activities and depression like symptoms(0.000). CLP can lead to poor psychosocial functioning in children mainly causing depression, behaviour problems, low self-esteem and anxiety. This in turn affects the quality of life of such children. Steps and measures should be taken to improve their surroundings and timely treatment options.

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