Self-reported symptoms and patient experience: A British Acoustic Neuroma Association survey

作者：Stephen J. Broomfield, Gerard M. O’Donoghue · 发表于：British Journal of Neurosurgery · 年份：2015 · DOI：10.3109/02688697.2015.1071323 · 被引用次数：29 · 研究领域：Meningioma and schwannoma management、Vestibular and auditory disorders、Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient-reported outcomes and experience of vestibular schwannoma (VS) management. STUDY DESIGN: Survey of members of the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA). METHODS: Members of the BANA were invited to complete an online survey. Questions were divided into five areas: Demographic details; symptoms at diagnosis; level of information received; treatment after-effects; and overall experience of diagnosis and/or treatment. DEMOGRAPHICS: 598 (58%) BANA members completed the survey. 77.1% of respondents were aged between 41 and 70 years. Symptoms at diagnosis: hearing loss (84%), unilateral tinnitus (40%) and imbalance (51%) were commonest. Isolated tinnitus and imbalance occurred in 2% and 6%, respectively. Information received: 39% stated they were given 'just the right amount of information about all management options', and 32% 'not enough information'. Treatment after-effects: Overall quality of life was classified as 'a lot better' (11%), 'a little better' (7%), 'unchanged' (25%), 'a little worse' (38%) and 'a lot worse' (19%). 61% respondents continued in the same job. Return to social life, hobbies and sports was impaired in 65%. Overall experience: Experience of treatment was graded as 'much better than expected' (20%), 'a little better' (15%), 'about the same' (27%), 'a little worse' (22%) and 'much worse' (16%). CONCLUSION: Quality of life measures are important in assessing VS management outcomes, and will increasingly inform clinical deci...