IS COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING ASSOCIATED WITH SUBJECTIVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPINA BIFIDA AND HYDROCEPHALUS?

摘要

Objective: To test the hypothesis that cognitive functioning is associated with subjective quality of life of young adults with spina bifida and hydrocephalus (SBHC). Design: Cross-sectional multi-centre study in The Netherlands.Subjects: A total of 110 young adults with SBHC (16-25 years old, 63% female).Methods: Cognitive domains measured were intelligence (Raven Standard Progressive Matrices), memory (Wechsler Memory Scale) and executive functioning (Wisconsin modified Card Sorting Test (WmCST), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT) and UNKAword production test). Subjective quality of life was measured with a visual analogue scale. Correlations and hierarchical regression analysis controlling for age, gender and functional independence were applied. Results: The TMT score was significantly associated (-0.25) with subjective quality of life. In the hierarchical regression analysis both the WmCST and TMT scores were significant determinants of subjective quality of life (Beta values 0.24 and -0.31 respectively). Intelligence, memory and word production were not related to subjective quality of life. All 5 cognitive variables together explained a significant additional 14.6% of the variance of subjective quality of life (total explained variance 19.9%).