Health-related quality of life in adult patients with moyamoya disease in Japan: a single-center study

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular disorder associated with stroke and functional impairment that may adversely affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study assessed HRQOL and explored its associated factors in Japanese adults with MMD. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5 L) were mailed to adults with MMD attending outpatient clinics at Hokkaido University Hospital between January 2023 and March 2025. HRQOL scores were compared with age- and sex-specific Japanese population norms. Multivariable regression analyses revealed factors associated with HRQOL. Of 213 eligible patients, 140 provided informed consent. Among patients with self-reported outcomes, mean differences from population norms (95% confidence intervals) were 0.005 (−0.011 to 0.021) for EQ-5D values, - −1.4 (−2.7 to 0.01) for the SF-36 physical component summary, 4.4 (2.7 to 6.0) for the mental component summary, and 1.7 (0.1 to 3.3) for the role/social component summary. HRQOL was associated with the modified Rankin Scale score. HRQOL in Japanese adults with MMD was generally comparable to that of the general population, although physical health scores tended to be lower. These findings warrant cautious interpretation because of the study’s cross-sectional, single-center design.