Psychopathology in young adults with congenital heart disease. Follow-up results

Aims The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence ofa wide range of behavioural and emotional problems long-term(>9 years) after surgical correction for congenital heart diseasein infancy and childhood. Methods The problem scores on the Young Adult Self-Report of 166 19–25-year-oldadults with congenital heart disease were compared with thoseof subjects of similar age from the general population. Results On most Young Adult Self-Report scales no differences were foundbetween the mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease-adultsand reference peers. On only two Young Adult Self-Report scales(i.e. Somatic Complaints and Strange) and the total problemscore were significant though small differences found betweenthe mean problem scores of the congenital heart disease adultsand reference peers. No significant relationship was found betweencardiac diagnosis and problem behaviours in congenital heartdisease adults. No relationship was found between IQ scoresand problem behaviours in congenital heart disease adults. Conclusion Overall, it can be concluded that the results of the congenitalheart disease adults were not unfavourable, since the differencesin mean (total) problem scores between the congenital heartdisease sample and reference group were small and limited toonly two specific problem areas.