OBJECTIVES: The congenital structural clubfoot is the most common congenital foot deformity. The aim of our study was to analyse the quality of life of people living with clubfoot.

METHODS: The questionnaires were filled by 75 patients (44 boys, 28 girls) at Orthopedic Clinic of University of Pécs. There were three age groups (under 12, 12-17.99 and above 18 years), average age 12.45 years. The conventional method was used for 55 patients, while 20 patients were treated with using Ponseti method. Applied questionnaires: for health research: EQ-5D-3L, adapted versions of the Clubfoot Disease Specific Instrument (DSI) for psychological examination: Rosenberg Scale, own sociological questionnaire.

RESULTS: The mean value of the EQ-5D index is 0.89 (N = 37, median = 0.88, standard deviation = 0.17), Chronbach alpha: 0.831, and a decrease in the quality of life in the "pain" dimension (mean = 75.67), the most typical. The DSI's self-average score is 53.33 and the average score of the DSI proxy is 59.82, according to which parents consider the quality of life of their children better. Out of the DSI 10 items, the foot pain item also has the lowest score (average: 24.32). The Hungarian version of DSI proxy and the self also have an appropriate internal validity (Chronbach alpha: proxy: 0.872, self: 0.923), and the EQ-5D-3L dimensions have medium and strong correlation values. For Rosenberg Scale the mean value was 22.27 (N = 37; median: 24.00, standard deviation: 6.91, max: 30), with five cases of low self-evaluation. Joint use of questionnaires is characterized by high Spearman correlation values.

CONCLUSIONS: The Adaptation of the Disease Specific Instrument in Hungary is successful. The questionnaires used are closely related and can be used together to provide a full picture of the quality of life of those living with clubfoot.