title: Psychosocial quality of life in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate psychosocial quality of life (PQoL) in patients with Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed on PQoL in HHT patients presenting with epistaxis. One hundred fifteen patients were interviewed using a questionnaire designed by two sociologists and a head and neck surgeon. Changes over time were assessed according to information on psychosocial well-being, social life, family support, occupation, and medical and demographic data regarding age, gender and patient appearance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of Psychosocial Quality of Life (PQoL) revealed no statistical difference in relation to gender, marital status, household income or place of residence (rural or urban); however, a significant difference was observed with age. Elderly patients had a poorer PQoL than younger patients. Workers had a better PQoL than unemployed patients. Epistaxis and professional duties were correlated: workers with less than one episode of epistaxis per month were more active. Frequent episodes of epistaxis and abundant bleeding decreased PQoL. These patients felt different and often experienced a desire to withdraw compared to others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients was associated with the impairment of many PQoL criteria, together with relationship modifications.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, CHU - Avenue Cote de Nacre, 14033 Caen Cedex, France. marjorie.loaec@yahoo.fr
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Loaëc
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Morinière
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hitier
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Ferrant
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Plauchu
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Babin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013683:Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / Q000150:complications