Patient quality of life after vestibular schwannoma removal: possibilities and limits to measuring different domains of patients' wellbeing

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Sep;276(9):2441-2447. doi: 10.1007/s00405-019-05499-1. Epub 2019 Jun 8.

Abstract

Purpose: Since the 1980s, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been recognized in the assessment of medical treatment. To determine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients, a specific questionnaire that has been validated in different languages is essential.

Methods: The Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and PANQOL questionnaires in German were evaluated in patients after removal of a VS via the translabyrinthine approach. Descriptive statistics of a comparison of the SF-36 results to those of a normal sample are illustrated. Criterion validity was investigated using Spearman's rank test to correlate the PANQOL domains with the SF-36 domains. A confirmatory factor analysis of the PANQOL was performed to determine the stability of the factor structure of the PANQOL questionnaire for our cohort.

Results: The criterion validity of the German PANQOL questionnaire is comparable to that of the original English version. The SF-36 domains values ranged from 49.31/100 (role physical) to 66.46/100 (physical functioning). Compared to the normal population, patients who underwent surgical removal of a VS showed a significantly reduced quality of life, mainly in domains such as physical and social functioning, as well as psychological wellbeing.

Conclusion: The German PANQOL has been validated and is now available. Post-surgical treatment should be focused not only on physiological rehabilitation but also on improving the quality of life, especially aspects of psychological and social wellbeing.

Keywords: Health-related quality of life; PANQOL; SF-36; Vestibular schwannoma.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Male
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / surgery*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*