Quality of life of the youth with Scheuermann's disease

Introduction. In order to evaluate one’s well-being or quality of life, two types of criteria are most frequently applied: objective and subjective. Whilst determining the first set of criteria, financial situation, social roles, social position and relationships with other individuals are considered. The second type of criteria refers to a given individual’s subjective evaluation concerning satisfaction in various aspects of life. Aim. This study aimed at evaluating the quality of life of patients with Scheuermann’s disease. Materials and methods. This study involved 30 patients, aged from 12 to 19, the median age: 15, with Scheuermann’s disease, hospitalised in The Chair and Rehabilitation Clinic in the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Ameryka/ Olsztyn, between December 2008 and April 2009. The patients completed a questionnaire which served to carry out the evaluation of their quality of life. Results. More than 1/3 of the patients manifested pain, and also 1/3 of them reported pain to be rare, whereas only 8 patients declared no pain at all. Pain made it difficult for the patients to function in various life situations, the most frequent being: physical activity as well as school and home activities. Out of the examined patients, 17 declared that Scheuremann’s disease had a negative impact on their lives. 25 patients (83%) experienced improvement after physical exercises and physiotherapy. A large number of the questioned patients admitted that they did not do the recommended exercises at home. Similarly, among those patients who had been recommended to wear back braces, a large group declared that they did not do it. Conclusions. The majority of the patients evaluate their quality of life negatively due to back pain. However, a significant proportion of this group declare that their wellbeing improves after physical exercises and physiotherapy. A large number of the studied patients do not do recommended exercises at home which results in the lack of improvement of their health condition. Almost half of the patients for whom back braces were recommended do not wear them because they find it troublesome.