Factors associated with symptom-specific psychological and functional impact among acoustic neuroma patients. Issue 2 (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brooker, J E; Fletcher, J M; Dally, M J; Briggs, R J S; Cousins, V C; Malham, G M; Kennedy, R J; Smee, R I; Burney, S
• Is Part Of: Journal of laryngology & otology. Volume 128:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: S16
• Page End: S26
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215113003216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2151

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="sec1"> <title>Introduction:</title> <p>The main purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and functional impact attributed to acoustic neuroma symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec2"> <title>Materials and methods:</title> <p>A sample of 207 acoustic neuroma patients completed a study-specific questionnaire about the severity, frequency, and psychological and functional impact of 9 acoustic neuroma symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec3"> <title>Results:</title> <p>The survey response rate was 56.4 per cent. All symptoms had some degree of psychological impact for the majority of participants; hearing loss was the symptom most often reported to have a severe psychological impact. The majority of respondents reported functional impact attributed to hearing loss, balance disturbance, dizziness, eye problems, headache and fatigue; balance disturbance was the symptom most often reported to have a severe functional impact. For most symptoms, psychological and functional impact were related to severity and frequency.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec4"> <title>Conclusion:</title> <p>Of the acoustic neuroma symptoms investigated, hearing loss and balance disturbance were the most likely to have a severe psychological and functional impact, respectively.</p> </sec> </abstract>