Elective Endocrine and Breast Surgical Procedures: Health-Realated Quality of Life Outcomes and Patients' Experiences: A Mixed Methods Study.
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Date
2025-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Endocrine and breast elective surgeries are among commonly done procedures globally. With excellent outcomes achieved for thyroid diseases and breast cancer, a fundamental shift from the traditional treatment outcome measures, mortality and morbidity, to maintaining improved quality of life has received an increasing attention. However, Hr-QoL after all types of surgeries in general and after elective thyroid and breast surgeries in particular is still an under-researched area. This gap is conspicuously seen and felt in developing countries like Ethiopia.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life outcomes and experiences of post-thyroidectomy+ and post-mastectomy cases treated in Endocrine and Breast Surgery Unit at TASH, Central Ethiopia in comparison with health institution-based normal individuals.
Methods and Materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. A self-developed questionnaire and SF-36 tool to measure Hr-QoL outcomes have been used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS windows version 21. The central tendency measures of the Hr-QoL outcomes were compared among the study groups and major findings of the study have been presented in texts, tables and figures.
Result: Three hundred sixty-six participants for the breast and 318 ones for the thyroid group were included in the final analysis. Post-total thyroidectomy participants had median SF-36 scores ranging from 33.3 for Role-Emotional (RE) to 85.0 for Physical Functioning (PF). The scores for the post-partial thyroidectomy group varied from 42.0 for Bodily Pain (BP) to 85.0 for PF. On the other hand, post-mastectomy cases had median SF-36 scores ranging from 33.3 for RE to 75.0 for Role-Physical (RP). Post-total thyroidectomy participants had statistically significantly lower General Health, Vitality, RE, and Mental Health compared to the controls. All SF-36 scales except PF and RP were significantly lower among post-mastectomy participants than controls.
Conclusion: Quality of life after thyroidectomy and curative-intent mastectomy was found to be lower. The mental health status was more affected than the physical health following thyroid surgery. General Health, Vitality, Role-Emotional and Mental Health were significantly lower as the extent of thyroidectomy increased. Among post-mastectomy participants, scales measuring mental health, both physical and mental health, and bodily pain were significantly lower. Optimal treatment and an organized psychosocial and emotional support by establishing, strengthening and expanding survivorship and support groups can improve such low outcome measures.
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Endocrine, breast elective surgeries