**4. Discussion**

### **4.1 Quality of life instrument evaluation**

Our study was based on the administration of two questionnaires, VSP-A "Vécu et Santé Perçue par l'Adolescent" "Experienced and Perceived Health by the Adolescent" one for adolescents with CLP and the other for their parents.

These questionnaires were considered reliable by a test/retest with the first 10 patients interviewed. The questionnaire we used is in French [4].

Quality of life is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "perception of people in terms of their situation in life, in the cultural context, and in values with whom they live according to their objectives, expectations, models, and concerns" [11].

When an individual is accepted into society, the sense of well-being or good quality of life is easier to achieve [12]. The overall quality of life index for adolescents with CLP was 59.61 and that of the parents of the children of was 60.58, which shows that the perceived quality of life is almost superimposable between parents/ children.

Recent studies show that reports of children on OHRQoL are reliable and valid. Instruments developed to measure the quality of life of children must also assess the impact of these problems on the quality of life of the family, as they are inseparable factors [13–16].

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*Quality of Life in Adolescents with Cleft Lip and Palate DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91348*

rehabilitation of these patients [17] .

patients (66.5/100).

by their physical appearance.

**4.3 CLP and social aspect**

functioning than their peers without CLP.

**4.2 Psychological aspect of quality of life perception**

The analysis of the quality of life in CL/CLP remains a difficult exercise. Family dynamics, education, and professional factors influence the social development and

Psychological problems, such as loss of self-esteem and difficulties in social interaction, are also encountered in patients with cleft lip or palate [8, 18–20]. In our study, the quality of life perceived by parents was close to that of their

The literature on quality of life in cases of facial malformation (congenital or acquired) is disparate. The quality of life index is considered in the majority of cases

François-Fiquet et al. [4], in his study, found that patients' quality of life was estimated by patients at an average of 65.1/100. This overall quality of life index was comparable (P = 0.66) to that of the control population. The perceived quality of life of patients by their parents was quite close to the quality of life described by

In our study, and during adolescence, problems of attractiveness, peer acceptance, and identity formation are particularly acute in populations and patients in general. With CLP, the results show that 67.5% of patients surveyed are complexed

Turner et al. [21] conducted a study in England that showed that a negative reaction from foreigners, real or perceived, can damage our own image. The links between physical attractiveness and the probability of success and social acceptability are well established. These links highlight the potential disadvantages for people affected by CLP because they may have an abnormal facial appearance [22–24]. Broder et al. [7] mainly showed higher levels of dissatisfaction with body image

associated with an increase in apparent anxiety in patients related to their CLP. Similarly, our psychological study revealed that only 2.5% of adolescents have

levels of self-esteem have also been observed in adults with CLP [25–28].

Several studies have reported that the majority of patients and their parents report that self-confidence has been affected or "very affected" by the cleft. Lower

In our study, socially, more than 60% of adolescents reported a better quality of life in their relationships with friends and 72.5% found that they are understood and reassured by their friends with only 27.5% of adolescents worried about their future. The highest index in this field explains our patients by the fact that they have developed a privileged relationship with their "best friend," integrating almost total trust, a greater complicity than between classmates without a surgical background. These results disagree with those observed in several studies, in particular that of Antoun et al. [29] who found that children with facial malformations may have specific attitudes that influence or even interfere with interactions with others. Facial malformations are not the most accepted physical abnormality in the population with a higher incidence of facial mockery; another factor that affects the social life of their children is the visible deficiency, nose and lips by this abnormality having a negative impact on peer interactions or even in the field of marriage.

Stock et al. [28] conducted a study in which they found that children with CLP were less socially motivated, less competent, and less effective in overall social

self-confidence and 47.5% tend to take life on the bright side.

children, which was confirmed by the linear regression curves (**Figure 2**).

to be equal to and, in some cases, lower than that of a control population.

*Current Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate*

happy and satisfied with their lives.

*Linear regression, overall quality of life index.*

**4. Discussion**

**Figure 2.**

concerns" [11].

factors [13–16].

children.

at all complexed by their physical appearance.

**4.1 Quality of life instrument evaluation**

around them. Sixty percent of parents noted that their children were optimistic and confident about their future; only 10% thought that their children were extremely

With regard to the education component for adolescents, parents with an average of 31% were satisfied with their children's schooling and relationship with their children's teachers. Fifty-five percent of parents noted that their children were not

On average, 45% of parents reported that their children lacked energy and vitality; 65% of parents reported that their children tended to take life on the right side; and 70% thought their children thought that everything was fine around them.

Our study was based on the administration of two questionnaires, VSP-A "Vécu et Santé Perçue par l'Adolescent" "Experienced and Perceived Health by the

tion of people in terms of their situation in life, in the cultural context, and in values with whom they live according to their objectives, expectations, models, and

These questionnaires were considered reliable by a test/retest with the first 10

Quality of life is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "percep-

When an individual is accepted into society, the sense of well-being or good quality of life is easier to achieve [12]. The overall quality of life index for adolescents with CLP was 59.61 and that of the parents of the children of was 60.58, which shows that the perceived quality of life is almost superimposable between parents/

Recent studies show that reports of children on OHRQoL are reliable and valid. Instruments developed to measure the quality of life of children must also assess the impact of these problems on the quality of life of the family, as they are inseparable

Adolescent" one for adolescents with CLP and the other for their parents.

patients interviewed. The questionnaire we used is in French [4].

**90**
