Patient-Reported Outcomes and Surgical Correlates of Self-Perception in Adults with Cleft Lip and Palate: A CLEFT-Q Study

Objective To investigate the self-perception of adults with cleft lip and palate during the treatment process, analyzing correlations among sociodemographic variables, cleft types, surgical history, and satisfaction reported through the CLEFT-Q. Design Observational, cross-sectional, and prospective study based on primary and secondary data. Correlation tests identified associations between clinical and psychosocial factors and self-perception scores obtained through the instrument. Setting National tertiary referral hospital for craniofacial anomaly treatment, in an outpatient setting. Participants Fifty adults aged 18-29 years, of both sexes, with cleft lip and palate, without associated syndromes. Palate clefts and cognitive impairments that hindered assessment were excluded. Interventions Administration of the CLEFT-Q, composed of 13 scales covering appearance, facial function, and health-related quality of life, complemented by clinical and sociodemographic data from medical records. Main Outcome Measures CLEFT-Q. Results The lowest mean scores were observed for nose (42.8 ± 24.9) and nostrils (44.3 ± 30.2), and the highest for jaw (71.0 ± 27.1) and lip scar (65.0 ± 25.3). Rhinoplasty was associated with higher esthetic satisfaction ( P = .004; P = .022). The number of palate repair correlated negatively with speech and eating domains. Conclusions Self-perception was related to clinical variables, particularly cleft type and surgical history. The CLEFT-Q proved essential for patient-centered care, broadening the understanding of subjective outcomes in craniofacial treatment.