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Osteogenesis imperfecta in childhood: perceived competence in relation to impairment and disability
R H Engelbert1, V A Gulmans, C S Uiterwaal
1Department of Pediatric Physical Therapy, University Medical Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands. R.Engelbert@wkz.azu.nl
Insights
Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) show varying physical impairments but maintain positive self-perceptions. This study found no significant differences in perceived competence across different OI types, despite physical differences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Child Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by brittle bones.
- Children with OI experience a range of physical impairments affecting mobility and strength.
- Understanding their psychological well-being, specifically perceived competence, is crucial for holistic care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the perceived competence of children with different types of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI).
- To explore the relationship between perceived competence and physical impairment parameters in children with OI.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 40 children diagnosed with OI (Types I, III, and IV).
- Evaluations included joint range of motion, muscle strength, functional skills (self-care, mobility, social function), ambulation, and perceived competence using the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children.
- Data were collected at a national referral center for OI treatment.
Main Results:
- Children with Type III OI exhibited severe decreases in joint range of motion and muscle strength.
- Type IV OI also showed decreased joint range of motion and muscle strength, particularly in lower extremities.
- Despite physical impairments, children across all OI types reported generally positive perceived competence, with notable exceptions in athletic performance (Type I) and romance (Type III).
- No significant correlations were found between physical parameters (joint ROM, muscle strength, functional skills) and perceived competence subscales.
Conclusions:
- Physical impairments in children with OI correlate with disease severity and differ significantly across OI types.
- Overall perceived competence in children with OI remains largely positive and does not significantly vary between different types of the disorder.
- These findings highlight the resilience of children with OI in maintaining a positive self-view despite physical challenges.
Objectives:
To examine the perceived competence of children with different types of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and to investigate the possible relationships between their perceived competence and impairment parameters.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
National referral center (hospital) for the treatment of children with OI.
Patients:
Forty children with OI (type I = 17; type III = 11; type IV = 12) with a mean age +/- standard deviation of 12.6 +/- 3.2 years.
Interventions:
Measured joint range of motion (ROM) in the upper extremities (UEs), and lower extremities (LEs), muscle strength, functional skills, ambulation, and perceived competence.
Main Outcome Measures:
Joint ROM in UE and LE; muscle strength (using the manual muscle testing criteria of the Medical Research Council); functional skills using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory in 3 domains (self-care, mobility, social function). Ambulation (according to Bleck and classified as nonwalking, therapy walking, household walking, neighborhood walking, community walking with or without the use of crutches), and perceived competence (using the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children, which was cross-culturally validated for Dutch children).
Results:
In children with type I, joint ROM and muscle strength were almost comparable to the healthy population. In children with type III, a severe decrease in joint ROM was measured, especially in the LEs, and muscle strength was severely decreased in the UEs and LEs. In children with type IV, joint ROM and muscle strength decreased, especially in the LEs. In all types, fairly to strongly positive perceived competence was measured except for fairly negative perceived competence in the athletic performance subscale in type I and a fairly negative perceived competence in the romance subscale in type III. No correlations were found between (1) joint ROM and athletic performance and physical appearance, (2) muscle strength and athletic performance or physical appearance, or (3) the functional skills, concerning self-care and mobility, with the subscales of the perceived competence.
Conclusions:
Although joint ROM, muscle strength, and functional and walking ability were related to the severity of the disease and differed significantly between the different types of OI, overall perceived competence in children with OI was fairly to strongly positive, without significant differences between the different types of OI.
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