Cardiology in the Young

Table of Contents - August 2012 - Volume 22, Issue 04  

Original Article

Tetralogy of Fallot in men: quality of life, family, education, and employment

Elisabeth Bygstada1, Lia C. V. M. Pedersena2, Thais A. L. Pedersena1 c1 and Vibeke E. Hjortdala1

a1 Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

a2 Department of Paediatrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

Abstract

Introduction Little is known about the quality of life, health, family, education, and employment status among adult men with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Material and methods A total of 68 men who underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot between 1971 and 1991 were studied. Fifty-three patients answered the SF-36 health survey and additional questions regarding offspring, education, and employment status. The men with repaired tetralogy of Fallot were compared with 32 healthy men and 40 women who also underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot in the same period.

Results The patients scored lower than healthy men in the SF-36 categories physical functioning, general health, and physical component summary. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores from male and female patients except a lower score in bodily pain among women. Educational level for men operated for tetralogy of Fallot was similar to the general male population, whereas fewer were employed and more were retired, undergoing rehabilitation or receiving social benefits. The reproduction rate was lower compared with the general population (0.65 versus 1.02 children per man) but relatively higher than the rate among women with tetralogy of Fallot (0.88 versus 1.84 children per woman). The risk of having a child with congenital heart disease was 8.3%.

Conclusion Men operated for tetralogy of Fallot have good quality of life and educational status. They start a family, although their reproduction rate is two-thirds that of the general population. The risk of having a child with congenital heart disease is higher compared with the background population. The overall quality of life is similar for men and women operated for tetralogy of Fallot.

(Received March 29 2011)

(Accepted October 24 2011)

(Online publication December 14 2011)

Keywords

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence to: Thais A. L. Pedersen, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark. Tel: +45 8949 5481; Fax: +45 8949 6016; E-mail: thais.a.pedersen@ki.au.dk

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