Quality of life among acoustic neuroma patients managed by microsurgery, radiation, or observation.
OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study was to examine differences in quality of life (QoL) among acoustic neuroma patients across the management options of microsurgery, radiation, and observation. Additional aims were to describe QoL and investigate management, medical, and demographic factors that predicted QoL in this patient group.


METHODS
Cross-sectional design, using a postal questionnaire.


METHODS
Tertiary referral centers.


METHODS
Participants included 180 adults diagnosed with, or treated for, a unilateral acoustic neuroma within 5 years of questionnaire distribution. The mean age of participants was 56.5 years, and 107 (59.4%) were female.


METHODS
Patients' acoustic neuromas were managed with microsurgery, radiation, or observation.


METHODS
Current QoL was measured using the Short Form 12 Version 2 (SF-12), and postmanagement changes in QoL were assessed with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).


RESULTS
No significant differences in SF-12 scores were found across microsurgery, radiation, and observation patients. However, microsurgery patients reported more deterioration on the GBI general well-being subscale than radiation patients and more improvement in the GBI social support scale than observation patients. Number of symptoms was a consistent predictor of SF-12 and GBI scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This is only the second study to use multivariate statistical techniques and a large sample to examine QoL across the acoustic neuroma management options of microsurgery, radiation, and observation. There were few differences in QoL outcomes across management groups. Number of symptoms was an important factor in current QoL and postmanagement changes in QoL.
Brooker
Joanne E
JE
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Joanne.Brooker@monash.edu
Fletcher
Jane M
JM
Dally
Michael J
MJ
Briggs
Robert J S
RJ
Cousins
Vincent C
VC
Smee
Robert I
RI
Malham
Gregory M
GM
Kennedy
Richard J
RJ
Burney
Sue
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult