Self-reported quality of life and cognitive adaptation in children and young people with chronic kidney disease.

ABSTRACT Literature review Seventeen studies utilising the Child Attitude Toward Illness Scale (Austin & Huberty, 1993) in paediatric research were reviewed. The review found that a range of biopsychosocial factors (e.g. condition severity, depression, worry, self-efficacy, family functioning) were associated with attitude toward illness. It is theoretically and clinically important to further understand the nature of these relationships through the development of well-designed studies and theoretical models. Assessment of children’s attitudes towards their illness in clinical and research settings will provide greater understanding of the impact of chronic illness and aid development of appropriate interventions. A number of methodological limitations exist in this area of research that reduces the strength of conclusions that can be drawn. Research report This cross-sectional study measured the generic and health-related quality of life (QoL) and attitude towards illness of 72 children aged six to 18 with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Generic QoL for patients was comparable with previously collected norms. CKD stage, age, time since diagnosis, and time receiving current treatment were unrelated to the outcomes. There was no impact of gender on QoL but males had more negative illness attitudes than females. Pre-emptive transplant patients rated both generic and health-related QoL higher than those in other treatment groups did, but there were no treatment effects on illness attitudes. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research that has predominantly focused on health-related QoL in paediatric patients. Recommendations for future research are made and the clinical and theoretical implications for practice are described