Quality of life of patients after total and subtotal thyroidectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid diseases, especially those that require surgical treatment, are an extremely strong emotional stimulus for the patient. They evoke not only anxiety disorders, but also in the case of complications (especially those long-lasting) can even generate depressive disorders, or significantly affect the patient’s self-esteem, and thus its functioning at the social level. Aim of the study: The objective of the study was to examine the quality of life of patients who underwent surgical treatment of total and subtotal thyroidectomy. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a group of 102 patients undergoing surgery at the General Surgery Ward of the Hospital. St. Łukasz in Tarnów in the period from December 2018 to April 2019, as well as residents of Małopolska, who had performed thyroidectomy. In research have been used ThyPROpl, VAS Scale, and self-prepared questionnaires. Results and conclusions: The most common complications of thyroidectomy were tingling and numbness around the mouth and limbs (42.2%). Patients who had symptoms of tetany had a reduced perception of quality of life and health, as well as the quality of life in all its areas. The respondents had a degraded, reduced quality of life in terms of the negative impact of the disease on life (62.01) and fatigue (56.23). The greater the intensity of pain, the lower the quality of life of patients after thyroidectomy. Conclusions. There is the relationship between the quality of life and the number of complications, as well as the severity of pain. This dependence is directly proportional.