title: Surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism improves health-related quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism results in an improved health-related quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism analyzed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic multispecialty referral clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively evaluated 74 consecutive patients who underwent parathyroid exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism during a 15-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was administered before consultation with a surgeon. Patients were categorized based on reason for referral as either asymptomatic (group 1; n = 43) or symptomatic (group 2; n = 29). All patients underwent parathyroid exploration and normalization of calcium levels postoperatively. The SF-36 was then re-administered after 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis of preoperative and postoperative SF-36 scores, and comparisons with national norms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SF-36 was completed preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively by 72 (97%) of 74 patients. When the results were compared with published national norms, the preoperative population was significantly impaired in 5 of 8 domains, whereas the postoperative one had improved and was nearly indistinguishable from the norm. In 7 of 8 domains, the postoperative scores were significantly improved compared with preoperative scores. Group 1 patients showed significant preoperative impairment in 3 domains and significantly improved in 2, whereas group 2 patients showed significant impairment and improvement in 7 domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is associated with durable, statistically significant improvements in health-related quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Section of General, Vascular, and Thoracic Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center, PO Box 900 C6-GSUR, 1100 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98111, USA. gtsjar@vmmc.org
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Sheldon
authors.forename: Faye T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors