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Tetralogy of Fallot in men: quality of life, family, education, and employment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 December 2011

Elisabeth Bygstad ,
Lia C. V. M. Pedersen ,
Thais A. L. Pedersen  and
Vibeke E. Hjortdal
Elisabeth Bygstad
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Lia C. V. M. Pedersen
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
Thais A. L. Pedersen*
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Vibeke E. Hjortdal
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
*
Correspondence to: Thais A. L. Pedersen, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark. Tel: +45 8949 5481; Fax: +45 8949 6016; E-mail: thais.a.pedersen@ki.au.dk
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Abstract

Introduction

Little is known about the quality of life, health, family, education, and employment status among adult men with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Material and methods

A total of 68 men who underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot between 1971 and 1991 were studied. Fifty-three patients answered the SF-36 health survey and additional questions regarding offspring, education, and employment status. The men with repaired tetralogy of Fallot were compared with 32 healthy men and 40 women who also underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot in the same period.

Results

The patients scored lower than healthy men in the SF-36 categories physical functioning, general health, and physical component summary. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores from male and female patients except a lower score in bodily pain among women. Educational level for men operated for tetralogy of Fallot was similar to the general male population, whereas fewer were employed and more were retired, undergoing rehabilitation or receiving social benefits. The reproduction rate was lower compared with the general population (0.65 versus 1.02 children per man) but relatively higher than the rate among women with tetralogy of Fallot (0.88 versus 1.84 children per woman). The risk of having a child with congenital heart disease was 8.3%.

Conclusion

Men operated for tetralogy of Fallot have good quality of life and educational status. They start a family, although their reproduction rate is two-thirds that of the general population. The risk of having a child with congenital heart disease is higher compared with the background population. The overall quality of life is similar for men and women operated for tetralogy of Fallot.

Keywords

Congenital heart diseasegrown-up congenital heartreproduction
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , August 2012 , pp. 417 - 423
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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