Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and exercise capacity or physical activity status in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) and healthy controls.
Methods: The study included 22 patients with CHD (mean age 13 ± 3 years) and 22 healthy controls (13 ± 3 years). We assessed HRQOL, exercise capacity (using cardiopulmonary exercise testing), physical activity level, and exercise habits, and evaluated the relationships between each index.
Results: Among the HRQOL subscores, physical well-being (PW) was significantly lower in children with CHD (p < 0.05). In children with CHD, there was a significant correlation between PW and anaerobic threshold (rs = 0.472, p < 0.05), but not between PW and peak oxygen uptake. Further, there was a correlation between physical activity level and PW in children with CHD (rs = 0.504, p < 0.05), and children with CHD who had regular exercise habits had higher PW (p < 0.05) than those without regular exercise habits.
Conclusion: HRQOL in children with CHD is associated with anaerobic threshold and daily physical activity status.
