Surgical treatment for chronic ear disease improved the quality of life in patients receiving care at the Mobile Ear Clinic

Abstract

Background : Chronic otitis media (COM) cholesteatoma and stapes fixation are common diseases that affect people of all age groups in Thailand. Studies show that surgical treatment can clinically improve the patient’s hearing. There are no studies examining quality of life (QOL) of pre- the patients undergoing ear surgeries.

Objective : To assess whether ear surgeries in the mobile ear clinic can improve QOL.

Design : Prospective questionnaire study. 

Setting : Mobile Ear Surgery Unit, Sakaeo Hospital. 

Materials and Methods : Thirty - five patients undergoing ear surgeries for COM cholesteatoma and stapes fixation were recruited from 1-4 July 2008. Post-operative otoscopic examinations were administered on weeks 1, 2, 4 and 24. Audiograms were conducted on weeks 0 and 24. SF-36 questionnaire, a Thai version on quality of life questionairs was administered at weeks 0 and 24 to assess QOL of the patients.

Results : The result showed a significant improvement in all dimension of Conclusion QOL regarding: physical health (pre - surgery 52.8%, Cl 45.7 - 59.8; post - surgery 72.8%, Cl 66.1 - 79.5; p < 0.001), mental health (pre - surgery 56.9%, Cl 50. 2 - 63.6; post - surgery 76.3%, Cl 70. 4 - 82.3; p < 0.001), physical functioning (P < 0.0001), role - physical limitation (P = 0.0001), bodily pain (P = 0.0046), general health (P < 0.0001), vitality (P = 0.0001), social function (P = 0.003), role emotion limitation (P = 0.0001) and mental health (P = 0.0007).

Conclusion : Ear surgeries can significantly improve QOL in patients suffering with COM cholesteatoma and stapes fixation.