Quality of life assesment in patients with throid ophthalmopathy

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of perception of life quality, influence of sociodemographic characteristics of the patients on perceptions of life quality and to determine the main factors affecting the quality of life in patients with throid ophthalmopathy. Material and Method: This research consists of 40 patients admitted to Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine neoro-ophthalmology department, diagnosis of thyroid eye disease and had regular follow-up examinations and 40 healthy controls. Patients who had egzophtalmos and / or ocular surface symptoms and findings for a reason other than thyroid eye disease were not included. 40 sex and age matched healthy volunteers without a history of eye surgery or trauma consisted the control group. By face to face interviews the socio-demographic questionnaire form and life quality assessment scale (Short Form 36 - SF-36) were evaluated using the data collected. Findings: When comparison of SF-6 subscales (General Health, Energy / Vitality, Mental Health) of patient and control groups which were normally distributed was done by t-test, sub-scales in all three scores were lower in patient group and statistically significant differences were observed. When comparison of non-normaly distributed SF-6 subscales (Physical Function, Role Physical and Social Function) of patient and control groups was done by Mann Whitney U, sub-scales in all three scores were lower in patient group and statistically significant differences were observed. Pain and Emotional Role Limitation subscale scores were lower in the patient group but no statistically significant differences were observed. When we analyze the mean of life quality scale scores, mean scores of patient group (Functional Status, Wellbeing, Health Detection) were lower in all three dimensions. Similarly, Global Life Quality mean scores of patient group was lower and statistically significant differences were observed. According to age, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, mean scores of those between 30-49 years of age in both patient and control group were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. According to gender, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of men in the patient group were higher than women but no statistically significant differences were observed. In the control group, although mean scores of women were higher in dimention of Wellbeing and Health Detection, mean scores of men were higher in dimention of Functional Status and Global Life Quality but no statistically significant difference were observed. According to the marital status, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of those married in the patient group were higher than unmarried patients and statistically significant differences were observed. In the control group mean scores of unmarried were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. According to place of residence, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of those living in the city in both the patient and control group were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. According to the educational status, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of those 'high school/college' in the patient group were higher and statistically significant differences were observed in dimentions of Functional Status and Global Life Quality. The mean scores of those who had 'high school/college' education in the control group were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. According to the economic situation, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of those with better economic situation in both the patient and control group were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. According to the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of those nondiabetics and nonhypertensives in both the patient and control group were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. According to the smoking, when we analyze the distribution of subdimention score means of SF 36 scala, the mean scores of smokers in both the patient and control group were higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. Since there were no patients who drunk alcohol, no statistical analysis was done in our study. There were nobody without health insurance in both the patient and control group. Results: All dimensions and all subscales of life quality scale were found significantly lower in the patient group. In the patient group, who were married and those with high school/college education of the life quality was higher and statistically significant differences were observed. In the patient group, men, those who were 30-49 years of age, those living in the city, those with better economic situation, nondiabetics, nonhypertensives, and smokers of the life quality was higher but no statistically significant differences were observed. In the control group, men, those who were 30-49 years of age, who were unmarried, those living in the city, those with better economic situation, nondiabetics, nonhypertensives, and smokers of the life quality was higher but no statistically significant differences were observed.