Predictors of postoperative recovery using self-reported HRQoL among children undergoing elective surgery

Objectives There has been a growing emphasis on holistic approaches to assessing postoperative recovery by using self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Identifying groups of children at higher risk of poor recovery has become important. The aim of the study is to identify predictors of paediatric postoperative recovery assessed by self-reported HRQoL. Methods One hundred forty-eight children ages 4 to 12 years completed the Child Health Rating Inventories (CHRIS2.0) to measure overall, physical and mental health, preoperative anxiety, and postoperative pain. Four linear regressions were used to identify predictors of overall, physical and mental health and postoperative pain. Predictors included child gender, race/ethnicity and language, surgical severity, child and caregiver preoperative anxiety, and caregiver distress. Results Child male gender (p = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−10.15, −0.65]) and identifying as English-speaking Latinx (p = 0.03, 95% CI [0.58, 13.25]) predicted poorer postoperative overall health. Higher child preoperative anxiety (p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.39, 1.50]) and higher caregiver preoperative distress (p = 0.003, 95% CI [−1.09, 0.28]) predicted poorer postoperative overall health. Conclusions The results of this self-reported study validated previously established predictors of recovery (preoperative anxiety and caregiver distress). Novel predictors, including child male gender and race/ethnicity and language, were identified, providing new insights into factors influencing recovery outcomes.