Self-perceived health-related quality of life of Indian children with specific learning disability.

TLDR: Children with newly-diagnosed SpLD perceive their psychosocial, physical, and overall HRQoL to be significantly compromised.

Abstract: Background: Specific learning disability (SpLD) often remains undetected, resulting in the afflicted child experiencing chronic poor school performance. Aims: To measure and analyze the self-perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with newly-diagnosed SpLD. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in our clinic. Materials and Methods: From February to December 2008, 150 children consecutively diagnosed as having SpLD were enrolled and their HRQoL documented using the DISABKIDS chronic generic module self-report version instrument. Statistical Analysis: Multiple regression analysis was carried out for determining the 'independent' impact that each of the clinical and socio-demographic variables had on a poor facet score outcome and on a poor total score outcome. Results: Clinically significant deficits were detected in all 6 facets, namely: 'large deficits (effect size ≥−0.8)' in social exclusion, emotion, limitation, treatment, and independence; and 'medium deficit (effect size −0.5 to <−0.8)' in social inclusion; and 'large deficit' in total score. Multivariate analysis revealed that: (i) not belonging to the upper socio-economic strata of society was an independent predictor of a poor independence facet outcome (P=0.010, OR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.18 to 3.37); (ii) not having experienced class detainment was an independent predictor of a poor emotion facet outcome (P=0.008, OR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.34 to 6.85); (iii) first-born status was an independent predictor of a poor limitation facet outcome (P=0.022, OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.15 to 5.90); and (iv) female gender was an independent predictor of a poor social exclusion facet outcome (P=0.024, OR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.85) and a poor overall health outcome (P=0.025, OR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.87). Conclusions: Children with newly-diagnosed SpLD perceive their psychosocial, physical, and overall HRQoL to be significantly compromised.