title: [Social integration and its relevance for quality of life after laryngectomy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social networks and social participation generally have positive effects on health. Yet, little is known about how patients after total laryngectomy (TLE) are integrated into the society. Aim of this study was to investigate how patients are socially integrated after a TLE and if social integration is associated with certain areas of quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a longitudinal multi-centred study 161 laryngectomees were interviewed 1 year after the total laryngectomy. Social integration was measured on the basis of an index formed by the questionnaire "Psychosocial Adjustment after Laryngectomy" and questions about social support. To assess quality of life, we used the questionnaire from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC QLQ-C30.
  
  
  RESULTS
  58% of all patients are well integrated 1 year after surgery. Well integrated persons have less problems in different components of quality of life. They report higher levels of social (OR 4.07; CI: 1.96-8.47) and role functioning (OR 3.59; CI: 1.61-8.02). Successful social integration is also associated with higher emotional well-being (OR 8.57; CI: 3.59-20.46).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence that 1 year after TLE only about half of the patients feel socially integrated. Because of the negative association of poor social integration with social, emotional and role functioning, patients should be supported in their attempts to take actively part in social life.
authors: Abteilung für medizinische Psychologie und medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Roick
authors: Abteilung für medizinische Psychologie und medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Keszte
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Danker
authors: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Städtisches Krankenhaus St. Georg, Leipzig.
authors: E F
authors: EF
authors: Meister
authors: Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Elblandklinikum Riesa, Riesa.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Vogel
authors: Klinik für HNO-Krankheiten, Kopf-und Halschirurgie, Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus, Cottbus.
authors: E-M
authors: EM
authors: Jenzewski
authors: Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig.
authors: I-S
authors: IS
authors: Horn
authors: Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University Medical Centre Mainz, Mainz.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Singer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D062309:Community Integration; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D058992:Social Participation; D012944:Social Support; D012946:Social Welfare; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires