Glasgow Benefit Inventory Research Articles

External Dacryocystorhinostomy and Patient Satisfaction: Perspective of General Ophthalmologist.

This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction over time in patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy for primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction when done by a general ophthalmologist. This prospective interventional case series was done in a secondary level eye hospital in the Midwestern region of Nepal from 1st January 2018 to 30th December 2018. Fifty-four consecutive adult patients diagnosed with primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy performed by a general ophthalmologist were included. The surgical success rate was determined at six months on the basis of the resolution of symptoms with patency on syringing. Postoperative patient satisfaction was evaluated 6 months after surgery with a standardized Glasgow Benefit Inventory and post-intervention questionnaire. A total of 54 eyes were operated on within the study period and a larger number of surgeries were done in the age group 26-30 years. Female constituted 79.6 % and male 20.4% with a ratio of 3.9:1. Overall surgical success rate 6 months after surgery was 96.30%. The mean total Glasgow benefit inventory (GBI) score was 48.83 ± 23.87 (95% CI, 42.96- 56.95), mean general subscale score was 52.70± 23.28 (95% CI, 46.49-60.38), social support subscale was 49.69 ± 44.68 (95% CI, 41.15-60.35) and physical health subscale score was 37.07 ± 41.19 (95% CI, 27.48-49.26). The external dacryocystorhinostomy surgeries performed by general ophthalmologists achieved an excellent surgical success rate and good patient satisfaction proven by a validated questionnaire.

External auditory canal exostoses: long-term surgical satisfaction and its relationship with surgical complications.

The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether complications related to surgery for exostoses are associated with a decrease in patients' quality of life. This was a retrospective study for which the following information was collected: sex, age, pre- and post-operative symptoms, pre- and post-operative audiological evaluation results, surgical approach, instruments used, complications, and Glasgow Benefit Inventory score. The study included 67 patients (94 ears). The three main complaints reported were wax retention, otitis externa and hearing loss. Surgical complications occurred in 14.9 per cent of patients. Patients experienced a significant benefit from surgery, especially in relation to somatic state, with a global Glasgow Benefit Inventory score of + 44.3. No significant difference was found between the global Glasgow Benefit Inventory changes and surgery-related complications (p = 0.093). After surgery for exostoses, the vast majority of patients showed improvement. Complications related to surgery in general do not seem to influence patients' satisfaction with surgery.

Outcome of Auricular Reconstruction with Porous Polyethylene Frameworks: Our 10 Years of Experience with 113 Children and Adults.

This study evaluates the surgical outcome and patient benefit after auricular reconstruction with porous polyethylene frameworks and temporoparietal fascia flaps in both children and adults. A total of 161 patients who had undergone auricular reconstruction between 2003 and 2014 by doctors in our department were asked to answer both a validated health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (Glasgow Benefit Inventory or Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory) and a questionnaire reporting satisfaction, complaints, and complications with the reconstructed pinna. Furthermore, postoperative surgical complications were recorded. A total of 113 patients (89 individuals older than 14 and 24 children under the age of 14) returned the questionnaires. About 80% of the patients were satisfied with the results of their auricular reconstruction. The main complaints concerned scars and the shape. Patients' quality of life was correlated with their postoperative aesthetic satisfaction. Thus, framework extrusion was the principal factor affecting patients' satisfaction, whereas treatable postoperative complications did not interfere with the overall quality of life. Interestingly, children indicated greater benefit from auricular reconstruction than older patients. With regard to the patient's feeling of being physically healthy after auricular reconstruction, partial pinna reconstruction and reconstruction without simultaneous hearing restoration should be very carefully considered. Auricular reconstruction using a porous polyethylene framework significantly increases the patients' health-related quality of life and leads to significant patient satisfaction, especially in the case of younger patients.

Quality of Life Following Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Menière's Disease.

Background: Menière's disease (MD) is a disorder characterized by auditory and vestibular dysfunction that significantly deteriorates patients' quality of life (QoL). In addition to the management of vestibular symptoms, some patients with bilateral hearing loss meet criteria for cochlear implantation (CI).Objectives: (1) To assess hearing results and QoL outcomes following CI in patients with MD. (2) To compare these results to a matched control group of patients who had undergone CI. (3) To analyse differences in MD patients who have undergone simultaneous or sequential labyrinthectomy or previous neurectomy.Methods: A retrospective analysis of a study group of 18 implanted patients with MD and a matched control group of 18 implanted patients without MD, who had CI at a tertiary referral center. Hearing and speech understanding were assessed via pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and disyllabic perception tests in quiet. QoL was assessed via the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12), and the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19). The impact of MD ablative surgeries was analyzed in the study group (MD group).Results: Mean pre-operative PTA thresholds were significantly lower in the MD group (103 vs. 121 dB). A significant improvement in hearing outcomes was observed following CI in both groups (p < 0.001), with a maximum Speech Discrimination Score of 64 and 65% disyllables at 65 dB for the MD and control group, respectively. Subjective outcomes, as measured by the NCIQ, GBI, SSQ12, and HISQUI19 did not significantly differ between groups. In the MD group, despite achieving similar hearing results, QoL outcomes were worse in patients who underwent simultaneous CI and labyrinthectomy compared to the rest of the MD group. Post-operative NCIQ results were significantly better in patients who had undergone a previous retrosigmoid neurectomy when compared to those who had undergone only CI surgery in the subdomains “basic sound perception” (p = 0.038), “speech” (p = 0.005), “activity” (p = 0.038), and “social interactions” (p = 0.038).Conclusion: Patients with MD and severe hearing loss obtain hearing results and QoL benefits similar to other CI candidates. Delayed CI after labyrinthectomy or vestibular neurectomy can be performed with similar or better results, respectively, to those of other cochlear implanted patients. Patients who undergo simultaneous CI and labyrinthectomy may achieve similar hearing results but careful pre-operative counseling is needed.

ASSESSMENT OF PATIENT BENEFIT FROM SEPTOPLASTY WITH TURBINOPLASTY

Patients’ benefits and quality of life are profoundly influencing how health services are delivered. In recent years, there has been a trend in emphasis toward subjective outcome measures. Although the effects of septoplasty are not entirely comparable, various scales have been considered to support more studies based on assessing results following functional nasal surgery. Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) is a standardized patient benefit measure developed specifically for otolaryngological treatments. The aim of this study is the use of GBI to assess the impact of undergoing septoplasty with turbinoplasty on patients’ quality of life after one year. This study was conducted as a retrospective observational study. Patients over eighteen years of age who obtained septoplasty concurrent with turbinoplasty for the treatment of nasal blockage at the Almaty, City Hospital No. 5, were included. GBI questionnaire (-100 to +100) was used to measure the outcomes one year after surgery. A total of 309 patients who meet the eligibility criteria volunteered to participate, 112 females (36.2%) and 197 males (63.8%). The mean age was 26 years (SD=13, range 18-76 years). A total of 87.1% of the patients reported improvement in their quality of life. Better outcomes in the perception of quality of life were observed in the younger population; these findings are consistent with current international existing literature

Quality of life in vestibular schwannoma: a comparison of three surgical techniques.

Through years, interest in quality of life (QoL) among patients affected by vestibular schwannoma (VS) has increased. The expansion of the indications for endoscopic ear surgery allowed the development of the transcanal transpromontorial surgery (TTS) for VS removal. The objective of the present study was to assess QoL in a cohort of VS patients operated on by translabyrinthine (TL), retrosigmoid (RS) and TTS approach. The study was conducted on 111 patients who underwent surgery for VS between January 2017 and January 2020 at two different institutions. Patients fulfilled three questionnaires during follow-up: Glasgow Benefit Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 and Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-Of-Life. The association between sex, age, date of surgery, tumor size, post-operative facial nerve (FN) function and QoL outcomes was assessed. An overall subjective impairment was demonstrated in all groups. Age, Koos staging and FN functions were associated to distinct QoL outcomes. QoL decreases in patients surgically treated for VS. The TTS may allow improved scores in many domains, confirming to be a subjectively well-tolerated technique.

Resultados de la dilatación de la trompa de Eustaquio en adultos con disfunción tubárica crónica

Introducción: la dilatación endoscópica con balón ha mostrado ser una herramienta terapéutica y efectiva para el tratamiento de la disfunción de la trompa de Eustaquio. Al momento se desconocen los resultados en la población colombiana. Objetivos: determinar la mejoría clínica de la dilatación de la trompa de Eustaquio en pacientes adultos con disfunción tubárica crónica, en un centro de IV nivel de atención en Bogotá. Diseño: estudio observacional retrospectivo con componente analítico. Métodos: se revisaron los registros clínicos de pacientes intervenidos con la dilatación endoscópica de la trompa de Eustaquio; se describen los cambios objetivos y subjetivos en el posoperatorio. Resultados: se obtuvieron 22 pacientes entre los 18 y 66 años con seguimiento de 6 a 22 meses. Al 84,5 % se les realizó la intervención bilateral y al 15,8 % la unilateral, para un total de 38 oídos intervenidos. El 60 % lograron la normalización del timpanograma. Hubo una mejoría de las presiones del oído medio de -102,5 a -3,5 daPa (p = 0,005). Se alcanzó una mejoría estadísticamente significativa en 6/7 síntomas según la escala de severidad y reducción del gap aéreo-óseo en 7 dB y 4 dB del promedio de tonos puros por vía aérea (PTA) (p = 0,249; p = 0,711). Además, se generó un impacto positivo promedio de +32 en la escala de calidad de vida según el Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI)Conclusión: la dilatación de trompa de Eustaquio resulta ser una terapéutica segura y eficaz en población adulta, con mejoras estadísticamente significativas en la severidad

Otosclerosis surgery under local anesthesia with sedation: Assessment of quality of life and stress

ObjectivesThe main study endpoint was tolerance of stapedotomy under local anesthesia with sedation and under general anesthesia using stress and quality of life assessment questionnaires. Secondary endpoints comprised operative time and functional results. Material and methodIn a consecutive series of stapedotomy patients operated on over a 12-month period, quality of life and perioperative stress were analysed by 3 questionnaires: the Glasgow Benefit Inventory, Cohen's perceived stress scale and the Post-traumatic stress disorder checklist scale. Questionnaire responses and audiometric data were compared between groups treated under local anesthesia with sedation and under general anesthesia. ResultsTwenty-two patients were included in the local anesthesia with sedation group and 6 in the general anesthesia group. There was no difference between the groups for quality of life, onset of post-traumatic stress, or perceived pre- and postoperative stress. There was also no difference in operative time. The audiometric data confirmed the reliability of stapedotomy. Stapedotomy under local anesthesia with sedation improved air conduction with≤10dB air-bone gap (ABG), comparable to results under general anesthesia. The rate of ABG≤10dB was 71.4%; no labyrinthisation was observed. ConclusionUnder local anesthesia with sedation, stapedotomy was well tolerated without increasing the stress associated with otosclerosis surgery. By correcting hearing loss, the procedure improves quality of life.

Quality of Life after Rhinoplasty: A Prospective Study.

As our previous studies have shown, cosmetic surgery has a positive correlation with postoperative well-being. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the postoperative changes in quality of life (QoL) after a rhinoplasty. Thirty-four patients who underwent septorhinoplasty performed by a single surgeon from July 2015 to October 2018 reported in indication-specific self-developed and different validated questionnaires (FLZM or Fragen zur Lebenszufriedenheit Module, Freiburg Personality Inventor, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory 17 [FROI-17], and Glasgow Benefit Inventory [GBI]) on the status of their QoL preoperatively (T0) and 6 months' follow-up (T1). Our goal was to assess the difference in psyche and self-esteem and to get objective insights into the effect of the operation. Significant improvements in QoL in terms of general module, health, and appearance were noted. The general part of the FLZM showed increasing T1 values in the sum scores (p = 0.005). With regard to the item "health," T1 was better than the norm data (p = 0.003). The statistically significant improvement for the item nose appearance (p < 0.0001) after operation and T1 versus reference data (p < 0.010) should be highlighted. The subjective patient ratings showed statistically significant T1 improvements for all items of the FROI-17: overall nose (p < 0.0001), nasal function (p = 0.001), general/further symptoms (p = 0.006), and confidence increased by aesthetic changes (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the GBI score shows an improved QoL after rhinoplasty (p < 0.0001). Based on the assessment of a variety of disease- and nondisease-specific validated questionnaires, numerous improvements in the QoL of the patients were observed. Therefore, we support septorhinoplasty as a meaningful procedure regarding QoL improvement. The level of evidence is Level II prospective cohort study.

Maximizing Cochlear Implant Outcomes with Short-Term Aural Rehabilitation.

Increasing numbers of adults are receiving cochlear implants (CIs) and many achieve high levels of speech perception and improved quality of life. However, a proportion of implant recipients still struggle due to limited speech recognition and/or greater communication demands in their daily lives. For these individuals a program of aural rehabilitation (AR) has the potential to improve outcomes. The study investigated the effects of a short-term AR intervention on speech recognition, functional communication, and psychosocial outcomes in post lingually deafened adult CI users. The experimental design was a multisite clinical study with participants randomized to either an AR treatment or active control group. Each group completed 6 weekly 90-minute individual treatment sessions. Assessments were completed pretreatment, 1 week and 2 months post-treatment. Twenty-five post lingually deafened adult CI recipients participated. AR group: mean age 66.2 (48-80); nine females, four males; months postactivation 7.7 (3-16); mean years severe to profound deafness 18.4 (2-40). Active control group: mean age 62.8 (47-85); eight females, four males; months postactivation 7.0 (3-13); mean years severe to profound deafness 18.8 (1-55). The AR protocol consisted of auditory training (words, sentences, speech tracking), and psychosocial counseling (informational and communication strategies). Active control group participants engaged in cognitive stimulation activities (e.g., crosswords, sudoku, etc.). Repeated measures ANOVA or analysis of variance, MANOVA or multivariate analysis of variance, and planned contrasts were used to compare group performance on the following measures: CasperSent; Hearing Handicap Inventory; Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire; Client Oriented Scale of Improvement; Glasgow Benefit Inventory. The AR group showed statistically significant improvements on speech recognition performance, psychosocial function, and communication goals with no significant improvement seen in the control group. The two groups were statistically equivalent on all outcome measures at preassessment. The robust improvements for the AR group were maintained at 2 months post-treatment. Results of this clinical study provide evidence that a short-term AR intervention protocol can maximize outcomes for adult post lingually deafened CI users. The impact of this brief multidimensional AR intervention to extend CI benefit is compelling, and may serve as a template for best practices with adult CI users.

Outcomes of bicanalicular nasal stent inserted by sheath-guided dacryoendoscope in patients with lacrimal passage obstruction: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundThe dacryoendoscope is the only instrument that can observe the luminal side of the lacrimal passage with minimal invasiveness. It was developed to treat lacrimal passage obstructions by inserting a bicanalicular nasal stent with sheath-guided bicanalicular intubation (SG-BCI). The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of SG-BCI to treat lacrimal passage obstructions. In addition, to determine the effects of SG-BCI treatment on the quality of life.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study of 128 patients (mean age 70.9 ± 11.0 years, range 28–93 years) diagnosed with a unilateral lacrimal passage obstruction. There were 73 patients with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction, 37 with a lacrimal canaliculus obstruction, 7 with a lacrimal punctum obstruction, and 11 with common lacrimal canaliculus and nasolacrimal duct obstructions. They were all treated with SG-BCI. The postoperative subjective outcomes were assessed by the answers to the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaire and to an ocular specific questionnaire on 6 symptoms including tearing, ocular discharges, swelling, pain, irritation, and blurred vision. The objective assessments were the surgical success rates and the patency at 6 months after the bicanalicular nasal stent was removed. The patients were divided into those with a pre-saccal obstruction, Group 1, and with a post-saccal obstruction, Group 2. The subjective and objective outcomes were compared between the two groups.ResultsOne hundred twenty-four sides (96.9%) had a successful probing and intubation of the lacrimal passage obstruction by SG-BCI. Of the 124 sides, 110 sides (88.7%) retained the patency after the stent was removed for at least 6 months. The GBI total, general subscale, social support, and physical health scores were + 37.1 ± 29.0, + 41.5 ± 30.0, + 28.0 ± 39.4, and + 24.1 ± 37.7, respectively, postoperatively. All of the 6 ocular specific symptom scores improved significantly postoperatively. The postoperative score of tearing improved in Group 1 (P < 0.0001), while the postoperative scores of all symptoms improved significantly in Group 2.ConclusionsThe relatively high surgical success rates and positive GBI scores, and improved ocular symptom scores indicate that SG-BCI is a good minimally invasive method to treat lacrimal passage obstructions.

Psychosocial outcome measures for conductive and mixed hearing loss treatment: An overview of the relevant literature

Objective To identify the psychosocial assessments utilized with individuals with conductive and/or mixed hearing loss as part of a broader effort by the Auditory Rehabilitation Outcomes Network (AURONET) group to develop a core set of patient-centred outcome measures. Design A review of articles published between 2006 and 2016 was completed. Included studies had more than three adult participants, were available in English, and reported a psychosocial outcome from any treatment of mixed and/or conductive hearing loss. Study sample Sixty-six articles from seven databases. Results Sixty-six articles met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Within this set, 15 unique psychosocial or patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) were identified, with the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) being the most frequently dispensed. Five of the fifteen were only administered in one study. In-house questionnaires (IHQs) were reported in 19 articles. Conclusions Only 66 (22%) of the 300 articles with outcomes contained a PRO. Some of the mostly frequently employed PROs (e.g., APHAB) were judged to include only social items and no psychological items. Lack of PRO standardization and the use of IHQs make psychosocial comparisons across treatments in this population difficult for patients, clinicians and stakeholders.

Retrosigmoidal placement of an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant: surgical and audiological perspectives in a multicentre study.

SUMMARYIntroductionThe retrosigmoidal (RS) placement of the Bonebridge system (BB) has been advocated for cases of unfavourable anatomical or clinical conditions which contraindicate transmastoid-presigmoidal positioning. However, these disadvantageous conditions, combined with the considerable dimensions of the implant, may represent a challenge, especially for surgeons with no skull base experience. Moreover, the literature reports only limited experience concerning RS implantation of the BB system.MethodsA multicentre, retrospective study was conducted to analyse the surgical and functional outcomes of a wide population of patients undergoing RS placement of the BB system by means of a surgical technique specifically developed to overcome the intraoperative issues related to this surgery. Twenty patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss and single sided deafness were submitted to RS implantation of the BB system.ResultsAudiological assessment concerning the measurement of the functional and effective gain by pure-tone audiometry (28 dB HL and -12.25 dB HL, respectively) and speech audiometry (24.7 dB HL and -21 dB HL, respectively) was conducted. A high overall subjective improvement of quality of life was recorded with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire. No major complications, such as device extrusions or other conditions requiring revision surgery, were reported during the follow-up period (median: 42 months).ConclusionsIn our study, which has one of the largest cohort of patients reported in the literature, RS placement of the BB system was safe and effective. Our functional results showed comparable hearing outcomes with presigmoidal placement. The effective gain, rarely investigated in this field, may be the object of further research to improve our understanding of bone conduction mechanisms exploited by bone conduction hearing implants.

Introducing an ethanol ablation service for recurrent symptomatic thyroid cysts within the NHS-a prospective study of twenty-six patients.

●The majority of thyroid cysts are benign and asymptomatic but some continue to enlarge, causing local compressive symptoms or cosmetic concerns. ●Image-guided ablation of recurrent and symptomatic thyroid cysts has gained popularity worldwide over surgical removal, however, limited UK experience is reported to date. ●Our series, conducted prospectively in a tertiary UK centre, has demonstrated that image-guided ethanol ablation (EA) is safe, effective, well tolerated and economical. ●Assessment of patient reported outcomes had shown a correlation between pre-EA volume and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) score. ●With its excellent radiological and clinical outcomes, EA should be routinely offered to patients with recurrent and symptomatic thyroid cysts in the shared decision making process.

Expanding the indications for the bone anchored hearing system (BAHS) in patients with single sided deafness

PurposeProvide data to support expansion of FDA indications for the Bone anchored hearing system (BAHS). Materials and methodsThis retrospective study in a tertiary otologic referral center included106 consecutive subjects who were implanted with a Bone Anchored Hearing System (BAHS) between January 2009 and January 2015 for single sided deafness. Subjects were divided into three groups by bone conduction pure tone average (PTA) of the better hearing ear: 0–20 dB (group 1), 21–40 dB (group 2) and 41–55 dB (group 3). All patients underwent BAHS implantation. Speech perception data (Hearing In Noise Test and Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant testing) was collected before and after surgical intervention. Patient-reported quality of life measures were obtained at least 6 months after activation. These included the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and Glasgow Benefit Inventory. ResultsAll three groups of subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvement in outcome measures following BAHS. Subject reported quality of life outcome measures demonstrated significant improvement in disability from hearing loss and in quality of life. ConclusionsPatients with single sided deafness who have bone conduction thresholds worse than 20 dB in their contralateral ear are still able to benefit significantly from BAHS.

Nasal Obstruction and Quality of Life Assessment After Septoplasty With Turbinoplasty: Correlation Between Subjective Scales.

Assessment of nasal obstruction is imprecise due to a low correlation between findings on the physical examination and objective measures with the severity of symptoms reported by the patient even after septoplasty with turbinoplasty is performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of subjective scales, and the correlation between them for the evaluation of nasal obstruction after surgery. To assess the impact of undergoing septoplasty with turbinoplasty to relieve nasal obstructive symptoms and the quality of life in a mid-term period by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). A retrospective study was conducted of patients who underwent a septoplasty with turbinoplasty due to nasal septodeviation and secondary nasal obstructive symptoms at the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Three scales were used to measure the outcomes one year after surgery: VAS (0-10), NOSE (0-100), and GBI (-100 to 100). Data from 56 patients (21 females, mean age 37.5 years of age, SD 12.13) was collected. The results showed that 75% of the patients had a post-surgical NOSE score below 50 and a VAS score below 6. Regarding the GBI scale, 75% of the patients improved in their quality of life. An inverse proportional correlation was found between the NOSE and GBI scales (rho = -0.3682) (95% CI -0.579 to -0.111), and there was a directly proportional correlation between the NOSE and VAS scales (rho = 0.7440) (95% CI 0.595 to 0.844). Subjective measures suggest there was an improvement in nasal obstructive symptoms and quality of life after surgery. Non-anatomical causes such as rhinitis can be confounding factors to consider in subsequent studies. VAS stands out as a possible interchangeable scale with NOSE to measure nasal obstruction in these patients.

Using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire to quantify the health benefits of lymphoedema treatment in patients with head and neck cancer

BackgroundLymphoedema is a common side effect after treatment for head and neck cancer. Our treatment protocol involves staging the degree of lymphoedema and then offering treatment comprising skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, simple lymphatic drainage, compression and elastic therapeutic tape. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory is a validated post-interventional questionnaire applicable to otorhinolaryngology interventions which measures changes in health status. The aim of this study was to quantify the health benefits of lymphoedema treatment using the Glasgow Inventory Benefit questionnaire, in patients with a history of treated head and neck cancer.MethodsAny patient who had undergone treatment with curative intent of a primary head and neck malignancy who had been referred for lymphoedema treatment within a 6 month period was eligible for inclusion. Patients completed a questionnaire after finishing the course of lymphoedema treatment.ResultsA total of 15 patients completed the questionnaire. Ten patients (67%) demonstrated some level of improvement in quality of life, while two (13%) reported no benefit and three (20%) reported negative improvements. The average score for the total Glasgow Benefit Inventory scale was + 7.2. The greatest benefit was demonstrated with the physical benefit subscale (+ 13.1). The average general benefit score was + 9.0.ConclusionsLymphoedema treatment involves techniques which can fairly easily be taught to patients to complete at home. In this study, there were mild improvements in patient reported quality of life using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory in the majority of patients. Clinical interest has increased in lymphoedema recently, but there is still limited information about the effectiveness of treatments and future research should look to address these issues.

Resultados audiológicos y de calidad de vida en pacientes con transición del sistema Baha Connect® a Baha Attract®

Introducción: los implantes auditivos de conducción ósea percutáneos han sido usados de forma exitosa. Sin embargo, un número importante de pacientes reportan reacciones en piel repetitivas. Los implantes auditivos transcutáneos son una alternativa que pueden solventar estas complicaciones. Con este estudio queremos describir los resultados audiológicos y de calidad de vida en pacientes que requirieron transición del sistema percutáneo a transcutáneo.Metodología: estudio observacional descriptivo, se incluyeron pacientes con implante auditivo percutáneo que requirieron transición a sistema transcutáneo. Se evaluó el desempeño auditivo utilizando una prueba con fondo ruidoso y se aplicó la escala de calidad de vida “Glasgow Benefit Inventory”-GBI.

Revised 15-item Glasgow Benefit Inventory with five factors based on analysis of a large population study of medical and surgical otorhinolaryngological interventions.

To review, using confirmatory factor analysis, the widely used 18-question Glasgow Benefit Inventory [GBI] that has three factors. Thereafter to develop, using exploratory factor analysis, a more coherent, revised version of the GBI. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis of a large national GBI data set of ORL interventions. Adult otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinics in six University Hospital departments. One thousand nine hundred eighty adult patients who had complete GBI data and who underwent an active (medical or surgical) intervention, out of the total data set of 9005 patients from the original Scottish ENT Outcome Study [SENTOS]. One of the 18 questions was discarded from the data base because it was not answered by 8% of respondents. Two of the original factors remained (Physical Health, renamed General Health, and Social Support, renamed Support). The General factor was split into three new factors (Quality of Life, Self-Confidence and Social Involvement). The three new factors were found to give additional information regarding the area of benefit. This reduced number of questions does not make any material difference to the results of the >196 existing GBI papers in the literature. A 15-question GBI with five factors is provided that is more explanatory of the areas of benefit.

Effects of SoundBite Bone Conduction Hearing Aids on Speech Recognition and Quality of Life in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness.

Objectives To analyze the clinical application of SoundBite bone conduction hearing aids by assessing the improvement of speech recognition and the scores of the benefit scale questionnaire for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). Design Nine patients aged 24 to 61 years with SSD for more than 3 months were enrolled in this study. The patients could understand and repeat Mandarin and have good compliance with the study. The measurements were evaluated before and after one month of wearing hearing aids using the pure tone audiometry threshold, speech recognition in quiet and in noise, and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) benefit scale score. Results Pure tone audiometry results showed that the average hearing threshold of good ears and bad ears was 11.4 ± 2.6 dB HL and 89.9 ± 6.4 dB HL, respectively. The average hearing threshold of bad ears after wearing hearing aids was 23.5 ± 9.0 dB HL. Statistical analysis showed that the hearing improvement for the bad ears after wearing hearing aids was significant. The speech audiometry results showed that the disyllable word recognition score of the bad ears in quiet increased significantly at 50 dB SPL by 40 ± 12 percentage points and at 65 dB SPL by 71 ± 15 percentage points. As for the speech recognition in noise, when the signal sound came from the bad ear side and the noise from the good ear side (SSSDNAH), the speech recognition score (SRS) significantly increased by 17 ± 6 and 9 ± 4 at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of -2 dB and -5 dB, respectively, after wearing the hearing aids. When the signal sound came from the front of the patient and the noise from the bad ear side (S0NSSD), the SRS scores were reduced by 5 ± 5 and 7 ± 5 percentage points at SNR equal to -2 dB and -5 dB, which was significantly different from that before wearing the hearing aids. When the signal and noise both came from the front of the patients (S0N0), the SRS was not significantly increased by 5 ± 4 percentage points at SNR equal to -2 dB compared to before wearing hearing aids. However, the SRS was significantly increased by 5 ± 2 percentage points at SNR equal to -5 dB compared to before wearing hearing aids. The average total GBI score was 31 ± 12 for the nine patients, with an average score of 32 ± 10, 31 ± 8, and 30 ± 7 for general conditions, social support, and physical health, respectively. The results of the questionnaires showed that patients' quality of life was improved after wearing SoundBite bone conduction hearing aids. Conclusions SoundBite bone conduction hearing aids are a good choice for patients with SSD, as it could improve the speech recognition ability of patients both in a quiet and noisy environment and improves the quality of life after wearing hearing aids.