TY - JOUR
T1 - Appearance-related concerns and their impact on health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral vascular malformations
AU - Stor, M. L. E.
AU - Lokhorst, M. M.
AU - Horbach, S. E. R.
AU - Young-Afat, D. A.
AU - Spuls, Ph.I.
AU - van der Horst, C. M. A. M.
N1 - Funding Information: No funding was received for this article. Not required. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2022/11
Y1 - 2022/11
N2 - Background: Peripheral vascular malformations (VMs) may lead to disfigurement of the body and face, potentially impairing aesthetic appearance. Yet, data on appearance in this population is limited. This study aimed to examine appearance-related concerns and their impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with VMs. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 384 adults and 194 children with VMs were invited to complete the Outcome Measures for VAscular MAlformations (OVAMA) questionnaire to evaluate potential appearance-related concerns on a five-point verbal-rating scale, with higher scores indicating more appearance-related concerns (e.g., colour-difference, facial-distortion, reduced self-esteem, and dissatisfaction with appearance). HR-QoL was evaluated using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Subgroups of patients reporting more appearance-related concerns were identified using univariate analysis. Associations between appearance-related concerns and various HR-QoL domains (e.g., anxiety and social participation) were assessed. Results: A total of 184 patients (32%) completed the questionnaires; 121 patients (66%) reported that one or more appearance outcome was severely affected (i.e., 4-5 out of 5). The following factors statistically significant associated with more appearance-related concerns: capillary/combined origin, facial localization, subcutaneous tissue involvement, larger size, overgrowth, and diagnosis of a syndrome. In adults, dissatisfaction with appearance and reduced self-esteem due to the appearance of the VM correlated with more anxiety and depression symptoms. Reduced self-esteem correlated with less social participation. In children, bodily distortion and being stared at were correlated with less peer relationships. Conclusion: Severe appearance-related concerns were present in two-thirds of patients with VMs, impairing their mental HR-QoL. Clinicians should acknowledge appearance-related aspects, monitor psychological well-being, and offer intervention aimed at improving satisfaction with appearance.
AB - Background: Peripheral vascular malformations (VMs) may lead to disfigurement of the body and face, potentially impairing aesthetic appearance. Yet, data on appearance in this population is limited. This study aimed to examine appearance-related concerns and their impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with VMs. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 384 adults and 194 children with VMs were invited to complete the Outcome Measures for VAscular MAlformations (OVAMA) questionnaire to evaluate potential appearance-related concerns on a five-point verbal-rating scale, with higher scores indicating more appearance-related concerns (e.g., colour-difference, facial-distortion, reduced self-esteem, and dissatisfaction with appearance). HR-QoL was evaluated using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Subgroups of patients reporting more appearance-related concerns were identified using univariate analysis. Associations between appearance-related concerns and various HR-QoL domains (e.g., anxiety and social participation) were assessed. Results: A total of 184 patients (32%) completed the questionnaires; 121 patients (66%) reported that one or more appearance outcome was severely affected (i.e., 4-5 out of 5). The following factors statistically significant associated with more appearance-related concerns: capillary/combined origin, facial localization, subcutaneous tissue involvement, larger size, overgrowth, and diagnosis of a syndrome. In adults, dissatisfaction with appearance and reduced self-esteem due to the appearance of the VM correlated with more anxiety and depression symptoms. Reduced self-esteem correlated with less social participation. In children, bodily distortion and being stared at were correlated with less peer relationships. Conclusion: Severe appearance-related concerns were present in two-thirds of patients with VMs, impairing their mental HR-QoL. Clinicians should acknowledge appearance-related aspects, monitor psychological well-being, and offer intervention aimed at improving satisfaction with appearance.
KW - Aesthetic appearance
KW - Health-related quality of life
KW - Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM)
KW - Port-wine stain
KW - Vascular malformations
KW - Venous anomaly
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85139737394&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2022.08.042
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2022.08.042
M3 - Article
C2 - 36210292
SN - 1748-6815
VL - 75
SP - 4202
EP - 4211
JO - Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
JF - Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
IS - 11
ER -