title: Quality of life and occupational disability in endocrine orbitopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In endocrine orbitopathy (EO), disfiguring proptosis and diplopia impair patients' quality of life both at home and at work.
  
  
  METHODS
  From late 2006 to the beginning of 2008, 250 outpatients in an interdisciplinary thyroid and eye clinic filled out a questionnaire about their quality of life, occupational disability, and use of psychotherapy. 400 physicians who referred their EO patients to the clinic also participated in a survey on these issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  45% of the patients complained of restrictions in their daily activities, and 38% reported impaired self-perception. 36% were on sick leave because of EO. 28% were disabled, 5% had retired early, and 3% had lost their jobs. Patients with severe EO and motility disorders were on sick leave for longer times and were more likely to be disabled. 21% underwent psychotherapy. Patients who had been on sick leave for a long time and/or were disabled were more likely to undergo psychotherapy. Among the physicians answering the survey, 75% stated that they were taking care of temporarily disabled patients, while 34% were taking care of permanently disabled patients. 38% were treating EO patients who were undergoing psychotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that patients with EO suffer considerable emotional stress and occupational impairment and point to the need for preventive care and rapid rehabilitation.
authors: Medizinische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, SP Endokrinologie, Klinikum der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany.
authors: Katharina A
authors: KA
authors: Ponto
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Pitz
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Pfeiffer
authors: Gerhard
authors: G
authors: Hommel
authors: Matthias M
authors: MM
authors: Weber
authors: George J
authors: GJ
authors: Kahaly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult