Quality of life and socioeconomic and educational status in patients with congenital hypothyroidism

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH) on quality of life, level of education and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods

Two independent study cohorts, a national and a regional, were collected from Finnish national registers and patient records. Data on social security benefits, SES, marital status, and education were collected from Statistics Finland. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was studied in the regional patient cohort with the standardized 15D and 16D instruments.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in education level, marital status, or SES between CH patients (n = 40) and their matched controls at the age of 25 years. The mean 15D score was both statistically significantly and clinically importantly lower in CH patients (n = 29) than controls (0.904 vs. 0.953, p = 0.008). CH patients reported significantly lower scores across various dimensions of physical and mental HRQoL, including breathing, sleeping, speech, excretion, mental function, distress, and vitality. The mean 16D score was lower in CH patients compared to controls (0.917, vs. 0.947), but without statistical significance.

Conclusion

SES of CH patients did not differ from matched controls. Thus, most CH patients integrate well into society, but their HRQoL is impaired.

Impact

Most patients with primary congenital hypothyroidism integrate well into society. In the current study, their socioeconomic and marital status did not differ from matched controls at the age of 25 years.

However, health-related quality of life measured using 15D instrument was impaired.

Every fourth patient reported that congenital hypothyroidism influenced everyday life.