Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Impact of surgical repair on the patients' quality of life with cleft lip and palate in the DRC: A longitudinal study using the CLEFT-Q scale

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Mean CLEFT-Q scale scores
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Submitted   Feb 14, 2024
Published   May 27, 2024
Issue    Vol 6 (2023)
DOI   10.25082/AHB.2023.01.004

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Médard Kakule Kabuyaya
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Olivier Mukuku corresponding author
Department of Research, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ahuka Onalongombe
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Eshete Mekonen
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Todd M. Van Ye
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center, Wisconsin, United States
Paul Millican
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Queensland 4109, Australia
Stanis O. Wembonyama
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Severin Uwonda Akinja
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mbuji Mayi, Eastern Kasaï Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Introduction: Cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) are congenital anomalies that can have profound impacts on individuals’ lives, physically, emotionally and socially. In this context, patients’ quality of life (QoL) is of paramount importance to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical interventions and improve patient-centered care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the QoL of patients with CLP in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) before and after surgical repair, using the CLEFT-Q scale as a standardized measurement tool.
Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted between January and April 2024, involving 43 patients aged 8 to 29 years with CLP. The French version of the CLEFT-Q scale was utilized to evaluate various aspects of QoL both pre- and post-surgical intervention.
Results: the study revealed a significant enhancement in all facets of QoL assessed by the CLEFT-Q following surgical repair. Mean scores exhibited a statistically notable increase across all scales post-intervention. Furthermore, noticeable variations were noted among facial cleft types, indicating varying effects on QoL based on the particular cleft type.
Conclusion: This study underscores the significance of surgical repair in enhancing the QoL of individuals with CLP in the DRC. It also emphasizes the necessity of a personalized approach considering the distinct type of facial cleft to maximize treatment outcomes.

Keywords
cleft lip and palate, quality of life, reconstructive surgery, CLEFT-Q, DRC

Article Details

How to Cite
Kabuyaya, M. K., Mukuku, O., Onalongombe, A., Mekonen, E., Van Ye, T. M., Millican, P., Wembonyama, S. O., & Akinja, S. U. (2024). Impact of surgical repair on the patients’ quality of life with cleft lip and palate in the DRC: A longitudinal study using the CLEFT-Q scale. Advances in Health and Behavior, 6, 275-280. https://doi.org/10.25082/AHB.2023.01.004
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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