Use of a closed set questionnaire to measure primary and secondary effects of neurofibromatosis type 2.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the greatest difficulties reported by people affected by neurofibromatosis type 2, and to determine the relationship between the primary and secondary effects of the disease.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire study.


METHODS
Questionnaire sent to subjects' home addresses.


METHODS
Eighty-seven adult patients under the care of the Manchester multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis type 2 team were invited to take part.


METHODS
The response rate was 62 out of 87 (71 per cent).


RESULTS
Respondents' answers emphasised that their greatest problem was deafness, which resulted in communication difficulties with social contacts, close partners, family and friends. Correlation coefficients indicated a relationship between general mood changes and hearing difficulties, social communication problems, balance difficulties and mobility problems. Self-confidence was significantly related only to social communication problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a closed set neurofibromatosis type 2 questionnaire identified hearing problems and subsequent communication difficulties as the main problems faced by people with this condition.
Neary
W J
WJ
Child Development Centre, Warrington Primary Care Trust, Orford, Warrington, WA2 9HY, UK. wanda.neary@nhs.net
Hillier
V F
VF
Flute
T
T
Stephens
D
D
Ramsden
R T
RT
Evans
D G R
DG
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D005152:Facial Muscles; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult