Pain, health-related quality of life, and mental health of adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy in urban South Africa

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and level of disability due to pain, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health in adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy (CP), living in a low-to-middle income country (LMIC), compared to matched typically developing (TD) peers, and to explore associations with individual characteristics.

Materials and methods

This case-control study included 31 adolescents and 30 adults with CP (gross motor function classification system [GMFCS] Level I–V) and matched TD peers. Assessment tools used were a pain questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36v2), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and General Self Efficacy (GSE) scale.

Results

Both CP cohorts reported more frequent pain in their lower limbs, higher level of disability due to pain (total ODI score) and lower perceived physical HRQoL compared to TD peers, while their mental health (mental HRQoL, HADS, and GSE) was not different.

Conclusions

Despite the physical challenges faced by adolescents and adults with CP living in urban South Africa, the mental health scores showed no difference compared to TD peers. Care should be taken to maintain this positive mental state during ageing across their lifespan.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The prognosis of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) has improved over the last three decades and CP should therefore be considered as a lifelong condition.

• Adolescents and adults with CP living in urban South Africa reported a higher level of disability due to pain and lower physical health-related quality of life compared to typically developing peers, while their level of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem was not different.

• These results were similar to findings of studies conducted in high-income countries, though it cannot be generalised to other low to middle-income countries with different cultural and government systems.

• In order to promote healthy ageing across their lifespan, intervention programmes should be considered to improve physical well-being, and care should be taken to maintain their positive mental health.

Keywords:

• Cerebral palsy
• adolescents
• adults
• pain
• disability
• mental health

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa, as well as the Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.