title: Early quality of life outcomes following Doppler guided transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation: a prospective observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are few studies examining the quality of life (QOL) of patients with haemorrhoidal disease. Transanal heamorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is a treatment modality for heamorrhoidal disease in which a Doppler transducer is used to locate the supplying arteries that are subsequently ligated. The aim of this study was to assess symptoms and QOL changes following THD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective evaluation of QOL and symptom changes following THD. Patient symptoms, demographics and QOL were recorded preoperatively and 1-month post-operatively following THD using the medical outcomes study short-form-36 (SF-36).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients undergoing THD were evaluated. One month following THD symptoms of haemorrhoid protrusion, bleeding, anal pain, painful defaecation, constipation and tenesmus, had all significantly reduced (P <0.05). Limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems (53.8 +/- 10.5 Vs 90.4 +/-4.5, P = 0.004), vitality, energy and fatigue (45 +/- 6.9 Vs 73.5 +/- 5.0, P= 0.003), general mental health, psychologic distress and wellbeing (60.9 +/- 6.9 Vs 83.1 +/- 5.9, P= 0.023), limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems (58.7 +/- 8.8 Vs 84 +/- 5.9, P = 0.025), and physical pain (52.9 +/- 7.9 Vs 84.6 +/- 6.4, P= 0.005) scores had all improved 1-month following THD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  THD significantly reduces symptoms of haemorrhoidal disease and improves specific aspects of QOL 1-month following surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Limerick University Hospital, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talha
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Condon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012007:Rectum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*