title: Can the efficacy of reduction mammoplasty be predicted? The applicability and predictive value of breast-related symptoms questionnaire in measuring breast-related symptoms pre- and postoperatively.
abstract: To measure the impact of reduction mammoplasty, the Breast-Related Symptoms Questionnaire (BRSQ) was translated into Finnish and tested among women seeking reduction mammoplasty. This previously validated questionnaire focuses on 13 breast hypertrophy-related symptoms and their frequency. In this prospective multicentre study, the breast-related symptoms of 98 women were measured preoperatively with BRSQ and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the 15 dimension (15D), a well-established generic tool. A total of 59 participants were followed up at least 6 months postoperatively. The women were middle-aged (mean age 44 years) and most of them overweight (mean Body mass index (BMI) 29). All patients had frequent physical symptoms and disability due to their breasts and reported low breast severity symptom score (BSS mean 27, range 13-38). Mean amount of resected breast tissue was 1310 g per patient. Postoperatively, the breast-related symptoms were significantly relieved, and 55 of 59 operated patients reported less frequent or non-existent symptoms (mean BSS 59, range 22-65). BSS score improved especially in obese women and those with pendulous breasts. A low preoperative BSS was related to considerable benefit from surgery. HRQoL score improved significantly from 0.889 to 0.930 (P < 0.001) and significant improvement was seen especially in dimensions, such as discomfort, usual activities and breathing. In conclusion, BRSQ is an easy tool to use to quantify breast-related symptoms. It visualised effectively the impact of the reduction mammoplasty. Surgical breast reduction significantly improves breast-related symptoms and the HRQoL among women with many breast-related symptoms. The present guidelines for patient selection in breast reduction surgery should be updated to use valid measurement and scientific evidence.
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 266, 00029 HUS, Finland.
authors: Jussi P
authors: JP
authors: Valtonen
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 100, 70029 KYS, Finland. Electronic address: leena.setala@kuh.fi.
authors: Leena P
authors: LP
authors: Setälä
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 100, 70029 KYS, Finland.
authors: Paula K
authors: PK
authors: Mustonen
authors: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsingin yliopisto, Finland.
authors: Marja
authors: M
authors: Blom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 15D; BRSQ; Breast hypertrophy; Health-related quality of life; Patient reported outcome; Reduction mammoplasty