Surgical correction of primary hyperparathyroidism improves quality of life.
BACKGROUND
The SF-36 health status assessment tool is well suited for measuring the morbidity associated with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that surgical correction of primary HPT leads to measurable improvement in patient reported functional health status and well-being.


METHODS
For the past 4 years patients with primary HPT have been asked to complete the SF-36 and to provide additional demographic and condition-specific information for study before operation. They then completed the SF-36 again by mail 2 months and 6 months after operation.


RESULTS
One hundred forty patients entered the study through March 1998; 110 patients completed follow-up at 2 months and 82 at 6 months. Marked impairment compared to population norms occurred before operation in 7 of 8 domains of health status. Substantial improvement occurred in 5 of 8 domains of health status at 2 months and in 6 of 8 domains at 6 months. Statistically significant improvement was demonstrated in limitations caused by physical and emotional role function, social function, bodily pain, and vitality.


CONCLUSIONS
Successful operation to correct primary HPT significantly improves patient reported functional health status and quality of life. Most improvement is seen within 2 months, but additional improvement in both physical and mental function is seen at 6 months.
Burney
R E
RE
Department of Surgery, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA.
Jones
K R
KR
Peterson
M
M
Christy
B
B
Thompson
N W
NW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires