Evaluation of quality of life in children and adolescents with hypertension — measurements, appliance, problems and barriers

Abstract

Background Arterial hypertension (AH) is a chronic disease increasingly often diagnosed in children. Apart from survival rate, the assessment of circulatory competence and the adverse effects of pharmacotherapy, the quality of life (QOL) assessment is another indicator of how efficient the chosen treatment of arterial hypertension is. The aim of the research was to close-up the quality of life measurement methods as well as to blow the whistle on the possibilities and barriers, conducting this kind of opinion amongst children and the youth in the European Union countries.
Material and methods A review of current literature and internet resources concerning this subject was made.
Results Resulting the analysis we explained the genesis, definition and conception of the quality of life. Moreover in the paper are presented information about questionnaires, available language versions of the European Union countries, used for the evaluation of the quality of life in children and adolescents with hypertension. The research specifically focuses on the presented problems and obstacles by indicating analysis of quality of life amongst children and the youth in the European Union countries. Furthermore, a presentation of appliance and the meaning of the obtained results in clinical practice were made.
Conclusions The concept of quality of life, despite the highlighted problems and barriers, will continue to flourish as it appeals to the effects of treatment from the perspective of quality of life giving medicine a chance to show long-term success in controlling diseases.
Arterial Hypertension 2011, vol. 15, no 1, pages 21–28