Quality of life after vestibular schwannoma surgery: does hearing preservation make a difference?

2009 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Iyer ◽  
R Gunn ◽  
H Sillars

AbstractObjective:Surgery for vestibular schwannoma may reduce patients' quality of life, but the effect of hearing preservation on this process is not fully understood. Our aim was to determine whether hearing preservation makes a difference to patients' quality of life in this clinical setting.Study design:Retrospective questionnaire and cross-sectional survey.Methods:The study included 104 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for vestibular schwannoma between 1998 and 2004. Surgery was via a middle cranial fossa route in 24 patients and a translabyrinthine route in 79. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.Results:Quality of life was reduced in both patient groups, with a mean Glasgow Benefit Inventory score of −7.5 (confidence interval (CI) −13 to −2.5) in the translabyrinthine patients and −4 (confidence interval −13.5 to 5.5) in the middle fossa patients. The SF-36 scores did not show any statistically significant difference between the two groups, except for social function (p = 0.01).Conclusions:Surgery for vestibular schwannoma reduces patients' quality of life, and the preservation of hearing, achieved by using a middle fossa surgical approach, does not significantly alter this result.

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1072-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathrine Nansdal Breivik ◽  
Jobin K. Varughese ◽  
Tore Wentzel-Larsen ◽  
Flemming Vassbotn ◽  
Morten Lund-Johansen

Abstract BACKGROUND: One hundred ninety-three patients with sporadic unilateral vestibular schwannoma given conservative management were enrolled in a prospective study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative management and to determine the effect of an initial conservative management on the quality of life (QOL) and severity of audio vestibular symptoms. METHODS: The patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans, clinical examination, and QOL assessment by 2 validated questionnaires, the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Using regression analysis of clustered data, we analyzed possible associations between tumor growth and symptoms and tested whether our earlier finding that vertigo is associated with reduced QOL could be verified. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 43 months (range, 9–115 months; SD, 21.48 months). Results are based on 703 clinical controls and 642 (SF-36) and 638 (GBI) questionnaires. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. Approximately 40% of patients were in need of treatment during follow-up. We found a statistically significant association between tinnitus and vertigo and tumor growth. Vertigo was found to significantly reduce QOL. There was a significant drop in the Social Function subscales of both SF-36 and GBI, possibly attributable to progressive hearing loss. Otherwise, there was no overall trend toward any change in QOL during the observation period. In addition, QOL seemed to be little affected by treatment. CONCLUSION: There was a small but statistically significant improvement in vestibular complaints and no change in the occurrence of tinnitus. Except for hearing loss caused by surgery, treatment did not affect symptoms or QOL significantly. Growth was associated with the occurrence of tinnitus and balance problems.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erling Myrseth ◽  
Per Møller ◽  
Tore Wentzel-Larsen ◽  
Frederik Goplen ◽  
Morten Lund-Johansen

Abstract OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to characterise the relation between quality of life (QOL) and the four major complaints (hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and unsteadiness) caused by unilateral vestibular schwannoma (versus) in a cohort of well-characterised untreated patients. METHODS One hundred and ninety-nine consecutive patients (91 men, 108 women) with a mean age of 56.9 years were studied prospectively during the 4-year period 2001–2004. The average time span from symptom onset to the radiological diagnosis was 4.2 years. The patients were subject to a standardised examination including MRI, evaluation of hearing acuity, balance function by stabilometry, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) self-evaluation of tinnitus and vertigo. Furthermore, the patients responded to two questionnaires, Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI)). A reference population was recruited from 80 adult persons who visited Haukeland University Hospital as non-patients or non-staff members. All data were recorded prospectively in a customised case report form. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS software. RESULTS The response rates of the Short-Form 36 and Glasgow Benefit Inventoryquestionnaires were 91.5 and 89.9%, respectively. According to the SF-36 questionnaire the patients scored significantly below that of expected norms with exception of physical function and mental health. Patients report negative benefit on the general and physical sections of the GBI questionnaire. Regression analysis showed that vertigo had a strong negative impact on QOL, whilst unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had less impact on QOL. CONCLUSION Vertigo is the symptom causing the most pronounced negative effect on QOL in patients with versus The more frequent versus-symptoms unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus seem to be less important in the patients' perception of QOL evaluated by the questionnaires used in this study. If vertigo could be relieved by treatment, this symptom should be more in focus when discussing treatment options in small to medium sized versus


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Arinze Okonkwo ◽  
Peter Olarenwaju Ibikunle ◽  
Izuchukwu Nwafor ◽  
Andrew Orovwigho

BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL), physical activity (PA) level and psychological profile (PF) of patients with serious mental illness have been neglected during patient’s management OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selected psychotropic drugs on the QoL, PA level and PF of patients with serious mental illness METHODS A cross sectional survey involving one hundred and twenty-four subject [62 Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and 62 apparently healthy subjects as control] using purposive and consecutive sampling respectively .Questionnaires for each of the constructs were administered to the participants for data collation. Analysis of the data was done using non parametric inferential statistics of Mann-Whitney U independent test and Spearman’s rho correlation with alpha level set as 0.05. RESULTS Significant difference was recorded in the QoL (p<0.05) of patient with SMI and apparently healthy psychotropic naive participants. There was a significant correlation between the QoL (p<0.05) and PF of participants with SMI. Participants with SMI had significantly lower QoL than apparently healthy psychotropic naive subject. QoL of the healthy psychotropic naive group was better than those of the participants with SMI. Female participants with SMI had higher PA than their male counterparts CONCLUSIONS Psychological profiles of male participants with SMI were lower than male healthy psychotropic naive participants. Clinicians should take precaution to monitor the QoL, PA level and PF because the constructs are relevant in evaluation of treatment outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Burak Yilmaz ◽  
Cagtay Maden ◽  
Begümhan Turhan

Background/aims Workers engaged in vehicle spray painting are at a risk of developing respiratory problems because of the solvents in the spray paints. Changes in respiratory functions and functional capacities caused by spray painting can be improved with respiratory exercises. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of respiratory exercises on the respiratory functions, functional capacity and quality of life in vehicle spray painters. Methods A total of 70 volunteers with similar characteristics participated in the study. The groups were divided into two groups randomly (35 study group, 35 control group). Respiratory functions (value of forced expiratory volume percentage in 1 second [FEV1]), forced vital capacity percentage [FVC], FEV1/FVC percentage, peak expiratory flow percentage [PEF (%)] and maximum voluntary ventilation percentage [MVV (%)]), functional capacity (6-Minute Walk Test) and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) were evaluated. The study group undertook supervised breathing exercises 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The same exercises were given to the control group as a home programme. Home programmes were followed up by telephone calls. Evaluations were performed again after 6 weeks. Results In the study group, FEV1 (%) increased more than in the control group (P<0.05). The increase in PEF (%) was similar in both groups (P>0.05). In the study group, FEV1/FVC (%) and MVV (%) were significantly different before and after the intervention (P<0.05), but there was no difference in the control group (P>0.05). There was a greater increase in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). 6-Minute Walk Test distance (m) before and after the intervention in both groups were similar (P>0.05). Before and after the intervention, a significant difference was found in the vitality and the social function domains of the SF-36 in the study group. In the comparisons of groups, a significant difference was found in the study group in the role-emotional, social function and bodily pain domains of the SF-36 after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusions Breathing exercises can be recommended for vehicle spray painters to avoid an increase in respiratory resistance and to improve their quality of life.


Author(s):  
Л. Е. Голованова ◽  
Е. А. Огородникова ◽  
Е. С. Лаптева ◽  
М. Ю. Бобошко

Целью исследования было изучение качества жизни лиц с нарушениями слуха в разных возрастных группах. Обследованы 100 пациентов, обратившихся в городской сурдологический центр для взрослых в связи с нарушением слуха: 50 человек - 34-59 лет, 50 - 60 лет и старше, из которых 32 человека были пожилого возраста (60-74 года)и 18 - старческого (75-86 лет). Степень тугоухости оценивали на основании результатов тональной пороговой аудиометрии. Для исследования качества жизни все пациенты заполняли общий опросник MOS SF-36, отражающий физический и психологический компоненты здоровья, а также специальный опросник HHIА(E)-S для лиц с нарушениями слуха. Установлено, что шкала HHIА(E)-S демонстрирует высокую корреляцию со степенью тугоухости у пациентов моложе 60 лет ( R =0,98; достоверность различий на уровне p <0,05), которая снижается у пациентов 60 лет и старше ( R =0,94; различия в оценках при разной степени тугоухости недостоверны). Значительные трудности в старшей возрастной группе могут быть связаны с тем, что людям пожилого и, особенно, старческого возраста сложно пользоваться слуховыми аппаратами (или они для них неэффективны) и оценивать свои затруднения по шкалам опросника. Целесообразно использовать шкалу HHIА(Е)-S в качестве скринингового инструмента для раннего выявления тугоухости, направления пациентов к сурдологу и своевременного слухопротезирования. The aim of the research was to study the quality of life in hearing impaired patients of different age. 100 patients referred to the city audiology centre because of their hearing disorders were examined: 50 patients from 34 to 59 years old and 50 patients from 60 years and older, from which 32 patients were of older age (60 to 74 years old) and 18 of oldest age (75 to 86 years old). A degree of hearing loss was assessed according to results of pure tone audiometry. To study the quality of life all patients filled in the questionnaire MOS SF-36, which evaluates physical and psychological components of health, and the questionnaire HHIA(E)-S, designed specifically for patients with hearing disorders. The HHIA(E)-S scale was found to show high correlation with hearing loss degree in patients younger than 60 years old ( R =0,98 with statistically significant difference, p <0,05), with decreasing correlation in patients from 60 years and older ( R =0,98; no significant difference while assessing various hearing loss degrees). Considerable difficulties in this age group may be explained by the fact, that older and especially oldest patients have a challenge with hearing aids usage (or they are of low efficiency for them) and with assessing theirs difficulties on the questionnaire scales. The HHIA(E)-S scale is useful as a screening tool for early detection of hearing loss, referral of patients to an audiologist and prompt hearing aid fitting.


2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (9) ◽  
pp. 835-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Joseph ◽  
A Miles ◽  
S Ifeacho ◽  
N Patel ◽  
A Shaida ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Mastoid surgery carried out to treat chronic otitis media can lead to improvement in objective and subjective measures post-operatively. This study investigated the subjective change in quality of life using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory relative to the type of mastoid surgery undertaken.Method:A retrospective multicentre postal survey of 157 patients who underwent mastoid surgery from 2008 to 2012 was conducted.Results:Eighty-three questionnaire responses were received from patients who underwent surgery at one of three different hospitals (a response rate of 53 per cent). Fifty-seven per cent of patients had a Glasgow Benefit Inventory score of 0, indicating no change in quality of life post-operatively. Thirty-five per cent scored over 50, indicating significant improvement. The only significant difference found was that women fared worse after surgery than men.Conclusion:The choice of mastoid surgery technique should be determined by clinical need and surgeon preference. There is no improvement in quality of life for most patients following mastoid surgery.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Hassan Dashty Khavidaki ◽  
Mahmood Kamali Zarch ◽  
Naser Mohammadi Ahmadabadi ◽  
Haider Hosseini

Introduction: Numerous important factors such as physical and mental condition affect the quality of life Job stress is one of the key factors in decreasing productivity in organizations. Given the positive effects of physical activity on quality of life, this study aimed to compare the quality of life between active and inactive workers (case study). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional comparative study.190 tile and cement-manufacturing workers who were eligible for the study were selected completely voluntarily, based on a convenience sampling. Of these, according to Beck questionnaire, 88 were selected in inactive and 64 in active groups; Weir and Sherborn questionnaire was used for assessing the quality of life (SF-36). For analysis the data, independent T-test and SPSS 23 software were used for analysis (P≤0.05). Results: The results showed that physical, psychological and quality of life components in the active group of cement factory workers were (p = 0.012) (p = 0.001) (p = 0.005) and tile workers (p = 0.012) (P = 0.005) (p = 0.014) was a significant and more compare to the inactive group, but there was no significant difference between active and inactive workers of the two tile and cement factories. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the positive role of exercise and physical activity on the quality of life of people working in cement and tile factories. It seems easier physical activity and sports are related to the quality of life of workers and have nothing to do with the workplace.  


2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreia Veras ◽  
Juliana Maia ◽  
Patricia Mesquita ◽  
Catia Eufrazino ◽  
Francisco Bandeira

OBJECTIVE: To describe the non-classical manifestations and quality of life in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated non-classical manifestations and quality of life of 22 patients with PHPT using the SF-36 questionnaire according to the time since diagnosis. RESULTS: In the scores of quality of life, a significant difference was found comparing the groups with previous and recent diagnosis of PHPT in terms of functional capacity (39 + 22.83 vs. 76.25 + 22.37; p = 0.001), limitation of physical aspects (30 + 38.73 vs. 75 + 21.32; p = 0.006), general health (57.20 + 19.16 vs. 77.75 + 15.70; p = 0.012), and vitality (49.00 + 21.19 vs. 70.00 + 24.12; p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: We found a significant difference in quality of life in relation to the time of the diagnosis of PHPT.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Francescato Veiga ◽  
Fabíola Soares Moreira Campos ◽  
Leda Marques Ribeiro ◽  
Ivanildo Archangelo Junior ◽  
Joel Veiga Filho ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: to compare the impact of mastectomy and conservative surgery on the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: an assessment was made of the quality of life of patients undergoing mastectomy or segmentary mastectomy, at the Pouso Alegre Clinical Hospital, in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais, using SF-36. The patients were grouped by age (<50 years and >50 years) and years of schooling (<8 years and >8 years). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups with regard to the age and schooling domains of SF-36. RESULTS: a significant difference between the two groups was found in the domains of "physical functioning" (p=0.04) and "pain" (p=0.01): with the patients undergoing a mastectomy registering the worst scores. Young patients who had undergone a mastectomy displayed the worst quality of life in terms of "physical functioning" (p=0.03), "pain" (p=0.01) and "social functioning" (p=0.01); those undergoing conservative surgery aged over 50 years scored worst on "role emotional" (p=0.05). Patients undergoing a mastectomy with lower levels of schooling scored lower in "physical functioning" (p=0.01), "role physical" (p=0.05) and "pain" (p=0.05). Among those who had attended school for more than eight years, those having undergone a mastectomy scored less in the "pain" domain (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: patients who had undergone a mastectomy had worse results in the physical component of the evaluation of quality of life and this negative impact was more strongly felt among younger patients and those with lower levels of schooling.


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Anne Donatelli-Lassig ◽  
Sonia A. Duffy ◽  
Karen E. Fowler ◽  
David L. Ronis ◽  
Douglas B. Chepeha ◽  
...  

Objective To determine differences in quality of life (QOL) between patients with head and neck cancer who receive chemoradiation versus chemoradiation and neck dissection. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at two tertiary otolaryngology clinics and a Veterans Administration hospital. Sample: 103 oropharyngeal patients with Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma treated via chemoradiation ± neck dissection. Intervention: self-administered health survey to collect health, demographic, and QOL information pretreatment and 1 year later. Main outcome measures: QOL via SF-36 and HNQoL. Descriptive statistics were calculated for health/clinical characteristics, demographics, and QOL scores. t tests evaluated changes in QOL over time. Results Sixty-five patients underwent chemoradiation and 38 patients underwent chemoradiation and neck dissection. Only the pain index of the SF-36 showed a significant difference between groups ( P < 0.05) with the neck dissection group reporting greater pain. Conclusions After post-treatment neck dissection, patients experience statistically significant decrement in bodily pain domain scores, but other QOL scores are similar to those of patients who underwent chemoradiation alone.


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