Health status of adults with Short Stature: A comparison with the normal population and one well-known chronic disease (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

BACKGROUND: To examine the subjective health status of adults with short stature (ShSt) and compare with the general population (GP) and one well-known chronic disease, rheumatoid artritis (RA). In addition, to explore the association between age, gender, height, educational level and different aspects of health status of adults with short stature. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to 72 subjects with short stature registered in the database of a Norwegian resource centre for rare disorders, response rate 61% (n = 44, age 16–61). Health status was assessed with SF-36 version 2. Comparison was done with age and gender matched samples from the general population in Norway (n = 264) and from subjects with RA (n = 88). RESULTS: The ShSt sample reported statistically significant impaired health status in all SF-36 subscales compared with the GP sample, most in the physical functioning, Mean Difference (MD) 34 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 25–44). The ShSt reported poorer health status in mental health, MD 11 (95% CI 4–18) and social functioning, MD 11 (95% CI 2–20) but better in role physical MD 13 (95% CI 1–25) than the RA sample. On the other subscales there were minor difference between the ShSt and the RA sample. Within the short stature group there was a significant association between age and all SF-36 physical subcales, height was significantly associated with physical functioning while level of education was significantly associated with mental health. CONCLUSION: People with short stature reported impaired health status in all SF-36 subscales indicating that they have health problems that influence their daily living. Health status seems to decline with increasing age, and earlier than in the general population

Foreign Adopted Children in Norway. Adaptability at the Age of 12, 1987

The survey's purpose was to investigate how children from the third world, who have been adopted to Norway, adapt to their new family and school. The starting point was that adopted children are a group that has experienced dramatic changes in their childhood circumstances, and their adaption will illuminate potentials for improvement. 151 adopted children born in 1975/1976 and their families were interviewed. Also, the child's teacher answered a questionnaire. A control group of children in the same age were also interviewed. Adaption was measured by applying Rutter's scale. The variables are concerned with the child's behavior at school and home, the child's development, special problems, school situation, language, intelligence, well-being and social skills

Health-related quality of life for children with rare diagnoses, their parents’ satisfaction with life and the association between the two

Purpose To examine children’s health-related quality of life and parents’ satisfaction with life and explore the association between the two in families where a child has a rare disorder. Methods We used a cross-sectional study design. A questionnaire was sent to parents of 439 school children (6–18 years) with congenital rare disorders. Children’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was examined by Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM 4.0 (PedsQL) Norwegian version. Satisfaction with life was examined by Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results The response rate was 48% (n = 209). The average age of the children was 12 years and 50% were girls. The parents scored their children with reduced physical, emotional, social and school functioning. The reductions were greatest in the physical area. Parents scored average to high on SWLS but significantly lower than the general Norwegian population. There was a positive association between parental SWLS and the children’s social functioning and school functioning. Conclusion Children with congenital, rare disorders often require assistance from many parts of the public service system. Caring for their physical needs should not conflict with their educational and social needs. It is important that the children’s school-life is organized so that the diagnosis does not interfere with the children’s education and social life more than necessary

Short statured in Norway: Employment, bodily complaints, use of health and welfare services: a survey

Purpose: There is a lack of knowledge about the lives of adults with short stature in Norway. We therefore performed a survey to described participation in paid employment, bodily complaints, the use of health services and the welfare system. Design: Survey. Methods and material: A questionnaire was developed and sent to 72 persons (16 years and older) who were of short stature and registered in a data based medical journal system at the TRS resource centre for rare disorders. Results: Forty-four persons (61 percent) answered the questionnaire, 32 were women and mean age was 36 years (SD 13). Mean body height was 134 cm (SD 13). Most of them had bodily complaints, 22 had complaints from five or more body areas. During the last year, 26 had received physical therapy. All but one received some financial aid and 33 used technical aids. Nineteen were employed and 10 had full disability pensions. People with high level of education, the tallest, the youngest and those with few physical complaints had highest participation in paid employment. Conclusion: One third of adults with short stature in Norway who were registered at TRS Resource Centre had ended paid employment, while most of those with high education were employed. One half had complaints from five or more body areas and all received treatment and services from professionals in the health-, social- and welfare system. More knowledge about short stature may contribute to better services for people of short stature