title: Improvement in the health-related quality-of-life symptoms of hyperparathyroidism is durable on long-term follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subjective symptoms such as decreased energy, chronic fatigue, and depression are associated with hyperparathyroidism. Studies have shown that these symptoms are improved during short-term follow-up after parathyroidectomy. This study evaluates the durability of this subjective improvement in quality-of-life symptoms in a large population of patients with follow-up greater than 1 year after operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2002 and 2005, 258 patients underwent parathyroidectomy, 100 (81 females and 19 males) of whom were available for this study. The patients were evaluated with a survey based on the Health Outcomes Institute Health Status Questionnaire. Some answers were quantified on a 1 to 6 scale, while others consisted of "yes" or "no" responses. Patients completed a questionnaire prior to parathyroidectomy and postoperatively at 1 month, 3 to 6 months, and 1 to 2 years or greater intervals. Statistical analysis was used to detect changes attributable to parathyroidectomy. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1-month follow-up, patients' perceptions of their overall health, energy level, and mood significantly improved. At 6-month follow-up, significant improvements in muscle strength, health, endurance, and relief of anxiety were documented. At the interval of 1 to 2 years, overall health, energy level, endurance, and relief of anxiety were improved. There was no significant decrement in the quality of life in these patients after parathyroidectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism is associated with significant lasting improvement in subjective symptoms. The potential durable improvement in these quality-of-life symptoms is a valid indication for parathyroidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Ill, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotramel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gaffud
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Djuricin
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Loviscek
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Solorzano
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Prinz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires