title: Pneumonectomy: post-operative quality of life and lung function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pneumonectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. After pneumonectomy, data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or its correlation with dyspnea and lung function are scarce. Our main aim was to evaluate long-term HRQoL after pneumonectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective one-center cross-sectional study, we investigated 31 of 98 patients who underwent pneumonectomy between January 1997 and October 2003 due to primary lung cancer. Pre- or postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy was applied according to hospital protocol. In June 2004, all patients alive received the generic HRQoL instrument (15D), as well as the Baseline Dyspnea Index (BDI). Results of the 15D were compared with those for an age- and gender-standardized general population. In April 2005, 20 patients participated in follow-up spirometric pulmonary function tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 15D total score and its various dimensions were significantly lower after pneumonectomy than in the general population. Females both in 15D score and in the BDI had more dyspnea (p<0.05). No difference appeared between right and left pneumonectomy patients, except for more prominent dyspnea in women with right-sided pneumonectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pneumonectomy had a negative impact on patients' HRQoL. The use of a broad HRQoL instrument like the 15D, which covers multiple dimensions of HRQoL, yields a more accurate evaluation than did a single-dimension HRQoL instrument. Possibilities for sleeve-resection should be considered thoroughly before any pneumonectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life (QoL) after pneumonectomy, as measured with a generic QoL instrument, the 15D, was compared in an age- and gender-standardized population. QoL after pneumonectomy was significantly lower, especially in women after right-sided pneumonectomy.
authors: Division of General Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Ilkka K
authors: IK
authors: Ilonen
authors: Jari V
authors: JV
authors: Räsänen
authors: Eero I
authors: EI
authors: Sihvo
authors: Aija
authors: A
authors: Knuuttila
authors: Anssi R A
authors: AR
authors: Sovijärvi
authors: Harri
authors: H
authors: Sintonen
authors: Jarmo A
authors: JA
authors: Salo
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011788:Quality of Life