title: Reduced quality of life in patients with head-and-neck paragangliomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with head-and-neck paragangliomas ('glomus tumors').
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed QoL in 82 patients with head-and-neck paragangliomas using four validated health-related questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Index (MFI-20), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Patient outcomes were compared with controls provided by the patients and with a large age- and sex-adjusted control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The QoL scores in the paraganglioma patients were significantly reduced in 12 out of the 21 subscales compared with own controls, and in 18 out of the 21 subscales compared with age- and sex-adjusted values derived from the previous studies. In the MFI-20 questionnaire, patients reported more general fatigue, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and a reduction in activity and motivation. The scores in the NHP showed a difference in energy, emotional reaction, and social isolation. General health perception, pain, and physical functioning were reported to be worse in the paraganglioma patients on the SF-36 scale. Although anxiety and depression did not reveal any significant differences between patients and their own controls, an increased score on both anxiety and depression was seen when compared with the extended control group. Especially, dysphonia contributes to a reduced QoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QoL is considerably reduced in patients with head-and-neck paragangliomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. b.havekes@lumc.nl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Havekes
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: van der Klaauw
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hoftijzer
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: A G L
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: van der Mey
authors.forename: A H J T
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Vriends
authors.forename: J W A
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Romijn
authors.forename: E P M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Corssmit
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004644:Emotions; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005925:Glomus Jugulare Tumor / Q000523:psychology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012934:Social Isolation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires