Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome

Background/Objectives: This study analyzes the impact of PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the psychological functioning of children and adolescents aged 2 to 1 years. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive s...

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Main Authors: Xosé Ramón García-Soto, Maria Isabel Villanueva-Alameda, Jessica Fernández-Solana, Jerónimo J. González-Bernal, Arancha Bernal-Jiménez, Lara Santos-Martín, Juan García-Mellado, Sara Calvo-Simal, Rodrigo Vélez-Santamaría
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Pediatric Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/17/3/51
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author Xosé Ramón García-Soto
Maria Isabel Villanueva-Alameda
Jessica Fernández-Solana
Jerónimo J. González-Bernal
Arancha Bernal-Jiménez
Lara Santos-Martín
Juan García-Mellado
Sara Calvo-Simal
Rodrigo Vélez-Santamaría
author_facet Xosé Ramón García-Soto
Maria Isabel Villanueva-Alameda
Jessica Fernández-Solana
Jerónimo J. González-Bernal
Arancha Bernal-Jiménez
Lara Santos-Martín
Juan García-Mellado
Sara Calvo-Simal
Rodrigo Vélez-Santamaría
author_sort Xosé Ramón García-Soto
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: This study analyzes the impact of PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the psychological functioning of children and adolescents aged 2 to 1 years. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 62 participants (31 males and 31 females) diagnosed with PFAPA. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Family Impact Module scale of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were used to assess psychological functioning and HRQoL, respectively. Results: Participants exhibited predominantly low HRQoL, particularly in physical health and emotional functioning. School functioning was also affected. However, social functioning and family relationships showed more favorable scores. A positive correlation was observed between age and emotional symptoms. Family concern was the most significantly impacted aspect. Conclusions: PFAPA syndrome has a significant impact on the HRQoL of affected children and adolescents, particularly in physical and emotional aspects. A holistic approach is necessary for disease management, considering not only physical symptoms but also psychosocial and academic factors, as well as the impact on the family.
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spelling doaj-art-b51a2fba78974c7db91d9b9d83d868632025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGPediatric Reports2036-75032025-04-011735110.3390/pediatric17030051Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA SyndromeXosé Ramón García-Soto0Maria Isabel Villanueva-Alameda1Jessica Fernández-Solana2Jerónimo J. González-Bernal3Arancha Bernal-Jiménez4Lara Santos-Martín5Juan García-Mellado6Sara Calvo-Simal7Rodrigo Vélez-Santamaría8Clinical Psychology, University Hospital of Burgos, 09006 Burgos, SpainClinical Psychology, University Hospital of Burgos, 09006 Burgos, SpainDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, SpainDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, SpainClinical Psychology, University Hospital of Burgos, 09006 Burgos, SpainClinical Psychology, University Hospital of Burgos, 09006 Burgos, SpainPsychiatry Service, University Hospital of Burgos, 09006 Burgos, SpainResearch Unit, University Hospital of Burgos, 09006 Burgos, SpainDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, SpainBackground/Objectives: This study analyzes the impact of PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the psychological functioning of children and adolescents aged 2 to 1 years. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 62 participants (31 males and 31 females) diagnosed with PFAPA. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Family Impact Module scale of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were used to assess psychological functioning and HRQoL, respectively. Results: Participants exhibited predominantly low HRQoL, particularly in physical health and emotional functioning. School functioning was also affected. However, social functioning and family relationships showed more favorable scores. A positive correlation was observed between age and emotional symptoms. Family concern was the most significantly impacted aspect. Conclusions: PFAPA syndrome has a significant impact on the HRQoL of affected children and adolescents, particularly in physical and emotional aspects. A holistic approach is necessary for disease management, considering not only physical symptoms but also psychosocial and academic factors, as well as the impact on the family.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/17/3/51PFAPAquality of lifepsychological functioningpediatricsautoinflammatory diseaseschildren’s mental health
spellingShingle Xosé Ramón García-Soto
Maria Isabel Villanueva-Alameda
Jessica Fernández-Solana
Jerónimo J. González-Bernal
Arancha Bernal-Jiménez
Lara Santos-Martín
Juan García-Mellado
Sara Calvo-Simal
Rodrigo Vélez-Santamaría
Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome
Pediatric Reports
PFAPA
quality of life
psychological functioning
pediatrics
autoinflammatory diseases
children’s mental health
title Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome
title_full Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome
title_fullStr Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome
title_short Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Children with PFAPA Syndrome
title_sort quality of life and psychological functioning in children with pfapa syndrome
topic PFAPA
quality of life
psychological functioning
pediatrics
autoinflammatory diseases
children’s mental health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7503/17/3/51
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