Long-Term Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Swiss Patient Group with Esophageal Atresia

Introduction Surgical treatment of esophageal atresia (EA) has markedly improved, allowing the focus to shift from short-term complications and mortality to long-term complications and quality of life. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is variable and reported to range from reduced to unimpaired in patients with repaired EA. We assessed the HRQoL, determined the prevalence of long-term complications and their possible impact on the HRQoL in patients who had correction of EA in Switzerland. Further, we also investigated in the general well-being of their parents. Materials and Methods Patients with EA repair in Switzerland between 1985 and 2011 were enrolled. Long-term complications were assessed by enquiring disease-related symptoms, standardized clinical examinations, and analysis of radiographs. HRQoL was inquired using different validated questionnaires (KIDSCREEN-27, World Health Organization [WHO]-5, and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index [GIQLI]). Patients were grouped according to their age. In underage patients, general well-being of the parents was assessed using the WHO-5 questionnaire. Results Thirty patients were included with a mean age of 11.35.7 years. Long-term complications were present in 63% of all patients. HRQoL in underage patients was comparable to the provided reference values and rated as good, while adult patients reported a reduced HRQoL. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms was associated with reduced HRQoL in underage patients. Parents of underage patients stated a good general well-being. Conclusion Long-term complications among patients with repair of EA in Switzerland are common. HRQoL in underage patients is good and general well-being of their parents is unimpaired. Adult patients reported a reduced HRQoL, consistent with other reports. As long-term complications may manifest only later in life, a structured follow-up of patients with an EA repair during childhood and adolescence is needed.