Social Functioning among Repaired Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

Objective: To determine the quality of life (QOL) in relation to social functioning dimension among repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients and also to assess its influencing factors. Methods: A cross sectional study has been conducted from Jun to October 2004 among 120 repaired CLP patients aged 12 to 30 years old, recruited from six main government orthodontic clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. An assisted administered multidimensional QOL questionnaire customized from WHO-QOL and SF36 was employed. Data collection was done either at the clinic or at home for subjects who had completed or defaulted treatments. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS Version 11.5. Results: Mean score that reflected social functioning was 17.6 points (95%CI: 16.90, 18.38). The score was then categorized into good, moderate and poor of which 53.0% of the subjects had demonstrated good and 42.0% had exhibited moderate social functioning score. Of the 4 items investigated under social functioning dimension, only 1 item which was “opportunity to succeed in life” was found to be affected by CLP status and its therapies. Factors that influenced social functioning were satisfaction with the information delivered by health personnel and the treatment outcome, types of clefts, treatment status and mother's education level. Conclusion: Quality of life of repaired CLP patients ranged from moderate to good with respect to social functioning dimension. Perhaps discovering the affected item and the influencing factors can provide us the focus of future intervention and may answer certain gaps unnoticed in the management of these patients such that a holistic approach to their healthcare can be offered.