Changes in quality of life 6 months after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

Objective: The extent of symptoms due to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) depends on the population being studied. PHPT is mainly discovered incidentally through routine laboratory findings. Less is known about patient-experienced imp rovement following successful parathyroidectomy. The aim of our study was to asses s the changes in the quality of life (QoL) after successful surgery using an SF-36 q uestionnaire. Design: This is a prospective cohort study based on questionnaires. Methods: Forty consecutive patients diagnosed with PHPT were prospectiv ely administered an SF-36 questionnaire before and 6 months after s uccessful parathyroidectomy. A subgroup of 18 patients answered the quest ionnaire at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Successful surgery was based on biochem istry and pathology reports as confirmed by an endocrinologist. Results of each SF-3 6 subcategory were compared to the results at baseline in order to detect changes in patient-reported QoL after successful surgery. Results: There were significant improvements in six of eight SF-36 subca tegories: vitality (P = 0.0001), physical functioning (P = 0.04), general health perception (P = 0.004), physical role functioning (P = 0.04), social role functioning (P = 0.004), and mental health perception (P = 0.0001). Changes appeared within a month after surgery with no further significant changes at later time points. Conclusions: Parathyroidectomy significantly improves QoL as measured by a d ecrease in SF-36 scores as early as 1 month after successful parathyroi dectomy. The SF-36 QoL questionnaire is suitable for monitoring changes in patient wel l-being after successful parathyroidectomy.

Keywords

• quality of life
• hyperparathyroidism
• sf-36
• parathyroidectomy