Impact of gender on general health-related quality of life in patients with chronic sinusitis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of gender on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic sinusitis


METHODS
A prospectively administered survey was performed. For measuring HRQOL, we used the German versions of the Short Form 36 (SF-36; eight subscales) and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) (two subscales). For all SF-36 subscales we used norm-based scoring of the general German population.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-three patients (45 women and 78 men) underwent HRQOL evaluation at baseline (preoperatively) and 3 months after endonasal sinus surgery. Compared with male patients, female patients scored a significantly worse baseline in all SF-36 and one EQ-5D subscales and 3 months later in only one SF-36 subscale. Compared with the norm-based scores, both women's and men's SF-36 scores reached normal levels in seven subscales after 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with men, women assessed preoperative HRQOL as being worse. Most women's and men's SF-36 subscales reached normal levels at the 3-month follow-up.
Baumann
Ingo
I
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
Blumenstock
Gunnar
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires