Quality of Life After Ethanol Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors' conclusion
EA of symptomatic and benign CTNs is associated with a great improvement of HRQoL scores of ThyPRO-39 and SF-36 at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Both physical and mental domains of HRQoL are positively affected by EA of CTNs. Risk factors for remaining HRQoL deficits 1 year after EA need further exploration.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients treated with ethanol ablation (EA) for cytologically benign and symptomatic cystic thyroid nodules (CTNs) at a university hospital over 4 years, able to complete Italian questionnaires, with 1-year follow-up; median nodule volume 15.6 (7.0–32.0) mL
- Participants
- 104 nodules
- Exposure
- Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) 6 and 12 months after EA vs baseline
- Outcome
- Thyroid-related and generic HRQoL (ThyPRO-39 and SF-36)
- Follow-up
- 6 and 12 months after EA
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, single university hospital
- Consecutive patients
- Single university hospital
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
ThyPRO-39 scores largely (effect size >0.5) and significantly improved across all scales vs baseline
P value adjusted <.001
SF-36 scores largely and significantly improved across all scales
P value adjusted <.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of ThyPRO-39 general quality of life item · baseline, 6 and 12 months
- Nodule size, but not sex, age or BMI, positively and significantly influenced (worsening) the general quality of life item
Original publication
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