title: Which tinnitus-related characteristics affect current health-related quality of life and depression? A cross-sectional cohort study.
abstract: Tinnitus is sometimes associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depressive symptoms. However, only limited evidence exists identifying which tinnitus characteristics are responsible for these associations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess associations between tinnitus, HRQoL, depressive symptoms, subjective tinnitus loudness and audiometrically assessed tinnitus characteristics (e.g., hearing threshold). Two hundred and eight outpatients reporting tinnitus completed questionnaires on tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, THI), HRQoL (World-Health-Organisation Quality of Life Short Form Survey, WHOQOL-BREF), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), and underwent audiometry. Patients with higher THI scores exhibited significantly lower HRQoL, and higher depression scores. THI total-score, THI subscales, and subjective tinnitus loudness explained significant variance of WHOQOL-BREF and BDI. Audiometrically measured features were not associated with WHOQOL-BREF or BDI. Overall, we confirmed findings that different features of tinnitus are associated with HRQoL and depressive symptoms but not with audiometrically assessed tinnitus characteristics. Consequently, physicians should evaluate THI total score, its sub-scores, and subjective tinnitus loudness to reliably and quickly identify patients who potentially suffer from depressive symptoms or significantly lower HRQoL. Supporting these patients early might help to prevent the development of reactive depressive symptoms and impairment of HRQoL.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: steffi.weidt@usz.ch.
authors: Steffi
authors: S
authors: Weidt
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Aba
authors: A
authors: Delsignore
authors: Neuroplasticity and Learning in the Healthy Brain, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Meyer
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Rufer
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Peter
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Natalie
authors: N
authors: Drabe
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Kleinjung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depressive symptoms; Health-related quality of life; Tinnitus; Tinnitus handicap inventory; Tinnitus loudness