Achondroplasia is characterized as an autosomal dominant genetic disturbance which affects the endochondral ossification which is a common cause of dwarfism syndrome. Among the characteristics the most common are the short stature and disproportional trunk/limbs. Thus, the achondroplasic subjects can face themselves inferior and not satisfied with their physical appearance, influencing, among other factors, the quality of life of this population. OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of life level between achondroplasic and non-achondroplasic subjects. METHODS: Study with 21 achondroplasics in which, nine were men and 13 women, paired by age and gender to 21 non-achondroplasic subjects. The quality of life level was estimated by WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. RESULTS: In the comparison between achondroplasic and non-achondroplasic females we verified that in physical domain achondroplasic women presented mean score significantly lower than non-achondroplasic. In the comparison between genders, achondroplasic females presented mean score significantly lower than achondroplasic males in psychological domain. CONCLUSION: In this study, the quality of life didn't present any difference between groups, however, in physical and psychological domains, achondroplasic women demonstrated less satisfaction to their condition.
Achondroplasia; quality of life; WHOQOL-BREF
