Ultrasonographic evaluation of head and neck lymph nodes in individuals with different quality of life

Aim: Lymph nodes are oval-shaped structures that serve as secondary lymphoid organs of the immune system, playing key roles in lymphatic drainage and immune response. They can undergo structural and functional alterations due to various conditions such as infection, inflammation, or malignancy. Quality of life is a multidimensional concept encompassing an individual's physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and interactions with the surrounding environment. Previous studies have reported associations between different dimensions of quality of life and inflammatory processes. However, most of these investigations have focused on biochemical parameters, while studies evaluating lymph nodes remain limited. This study aimed to assess the head and neck lymph nodes of individuals with different quality of life using ultrasonography. Material and Method: The study included healthy volunteers aged 20–30 years. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria completed a quality of life questionnaire, and their head and neck lymph nodes were evaluated via ultrasonography. The number, localization, size, vascularity, and stiffness of the detected lymph nodes were recorded. The relationship between these parameters and quality of life scores was analyzed statistically, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 140 participants were included in the study, comprising 82 females (58.6%) and 58 males (41.4%), with a mean age of 22.13 ± 1.47 years. In total, 847 lymph nodes were identified. According to the findings, significant relationships were observed between participants' perceptions of pain, ability to maintain daily activities and attention with the morphometric and elastographic characteristics of the head and neck lymph nodes. Conclusion: These findings suggest that quality of life may influence certain characteristics of lymph nodes. Nevertheless, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to better elucidate the nature and clinical relevance of this relationship.