"Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis & Cervical Adenitis" by Sonia P. Wheat

Date of Conferral

1-6-2025

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Manoj Sharma

Abstract

The suffering of children with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) is well documented and includes diminished quality of life (QoL), emotional/behavioral problems, fatigue, food avoidance and school absenteeism. As an example of childhood adversity, and because the model of pediatric medical traumatic stress demonstrates traumatic responses do not always subside over time, this study examined the psychosocial health of PFAPA survivors post resolution. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional study design, the psychosocial well-being of PFAPA survivors was compared to children with persistent asthma and children without chronic illness or a history of medical trauma. Two validated parent-completed instruments (Pediatric QoL [PedsQL] and Spence Anxiety Scales [SPAS/SCAS]) were used to answer two research questions about if PFAPA is associated with a lower score of PedsQL compared to children suffering from asthma and/or healthy children and if PFAPA is associated with a higher score of the SPAS/SCAS compared to children suffering from asthma and/or healthy children. A two-way ANOVA compared mean scores and showed an improved PedsQL score for healthy and PFAPA groups (15.14% [p = 0.01] and 13.55% [p = 0.02], respectively) compared to asthma, supporting the null hypothesis. No significant differences in SPAS/SCAS scores were observed. No interaction between health status and age was detected. The sustained improvement in QoL post-PFAPA provides clinicians and families with important data for the benefits/risk assessment of interventions. Global registries should include QoL measures like PedsQL for positive social change in the management of auto-inflammatory disease.

Download

Share

 
COinS