Long term functional outcomes and health-related quality of life in patients with esophageal atresia - a tertiary centre experience [Oral presentation]

Abstract

<div><p>Purpose: This study evaluates the clinical outcomes and compares the quality of life in esophageal atresia patients over the past two decades. </p><p>Method: Medical records of all esophageal atresia patients who received surgical repair between 1997-2021 in a tertiary center were reviewed to assess for associated anomalies and complications. Both patients and parents were invited to participate in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) studies either in person, via phone or online. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic (Peds-QL) Core Scale Version 4.0 and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) were used as generic and system-specific assessment tools respectively. Numeric values were expressed in medians (interquartile range).</p><p>Results: A total of 31 patients were eligible for the study. The median birth weight was 2470g (1935g-3075g). The smallest patient had a birth weight of 1360g. Primary repair was performed in 28 (90%) patients. Anastomotic leak was reported in two (6.5%) patients, both of them requiring revision surgery. Repeated endoscopic dilatation was required in 12 (38.7%) patients and seven (22.6%) required anti-reflux procedures. No statistically significant risk factor was found to be associated with the above complications. </p><p>For the HRQOL assessment, our cohort of patients showed an overall score of 82.6 (60.5-94.6), physical score of 93.8 (71.9-100) and psychosocial score of 73.3 (54.6-95.8) when using the generic Peds-QL questionnaire. When using the system-specific GIQLI, they scored 83.7 (78.7-89.8). Both questionnaires do not show significant difference between survivors of esophageal atresia and the normal population matched for age and gender. </p><p>Conclusion: Long term survivors of esophageal atresia demonstrated satisfactory HRQOL which is comparable to normal population in both generic and system-specific assessment tools. Post-operative complications which were treated did not appear to have a great impact on subsequent HRQOL. However, these patients may have psychosocial concerns that should be addressed. </p></div>