Headache and Shunt-Related Impact on Activities of Daily Life in Patients Growing Up with a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Beez, Thomas; Bellstädt, Lina; Steiger, Hans‐Jakob; Sarikaya-Seiwert, Sevgi

doi:10.1055/s-0037-1606852

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…These activities included, but were not limited to, sleeping/resting on the side of the head with the shunt, exercising, playing sports, engaging in outdoor activities or even wearing headgear or glasses. Generalized fear, anxiety, or paranoia was also reported both in this survey and by Beez et al, 10 with patients reporting hypervigilance of surroundings and shunt reservoir site. From these reports, it is apparent that shunt systems, and the cognizance thereof, interfere with patient QoL.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…In 2018, Beez et al 10 identified 15 patients between the ages of 3 to 21 years old (mean 12 years), and contacted their families to complete a set of 2 standardized questionnaires used to assess headache and QoL. They found that 87% of respondents reported satisfaction with the shunt and improvement in hydrocephalus symptoms, and the majority (67%) only rarely experienced headaches (less than once per month).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, a study by Paulsen et al 9 demonstrated that patients who have endured multiple shunt revisions express a decreased self-perception of health. Similarly, Beez et al 10 demonstrated that even patients who may not endorse a reduced QoL per se, do modify their lifestyles to adapt to the presence of a shunt. Despite an understanding of the considerable burden of hydrocephalus disease, the life-saving clinical impact of shunts, and the clinical and economic morbidity related to shunt-related complications, there remains a paucity of data regarding how the devices themselves impact QoL.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of Hydrocephalus Shunt Devices on Quality of Life

Mitchell

Zelko

Shay

et al. 2021

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

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Background: Despite advances in hydrocephalus shunt technology and improvement in hydrocephalus management, many patients have chronic disability and require multiple surgeries throughout their lifetime. There is limited data from patients' perspective regarding the impact of shunt devices on quality-of-life. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed to evaluate the impact of shunt devices on patient quality-of-life. The survey was distributed via social media platforms of the Hydrocephalus Association, and patients self-selected to anonymously complete the online questionnaire. A literature review was performed to contextualize the findings from the survey. Results: A total of 562 survey responses were obtained from a network encompassing 35,000 members. The mean age was 30 years old (0.5-87), and 65% identified as female. Eighty one percent underwent at least 1 shunt revision surgery, with a reported average of 10 shunt revision surgeries per patient (1-200 surgeries).Occlusion, shunt migration and infection were the leading causes for revision at 60%, 47%, and 35%, respectively. In addition, 72% of patients reported pain and discomfort from the device, and 68% expressed avoidance of certain activities due to ''fear of bumping shunt.'' Despite numerous articles discussing shunt technology, a review of the literature indicated a paucity of studies specifically evaluating the burden of shunt devices from a patient/caregiver perspective. Conclusions:The findings from this study suggest long-term physical and psychosocial burden associated with shunt devices. Importantly, this study highlights the need for concerted efforts to develop validated tools to study patient reported outcomes as it relates to neurocranial implanted devices.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Impact of Hydrocephalus Shunt Devices on Quality of Life

Mitchell

Zelko

Shay

et al. 2021

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

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“…Paulsen et al reported in their study that all those children who have undergone recurrent shunt application have weaker concerns regarding their health [8]. In another study, Beez et al reported that some children might accept the presence of a shunt for their condition with behavioral modification where the reduced quality of life may not be endorsed expressly [15]. Headaches and weariness are commonly observed in children with hydrocephalus shunt, affecting their functional well-being.…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Quality of Life in Hydrocephalic Children: A Study from Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan

Khan,

Akbar,

Abbas

et al. 2024

Neuropediatrics

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Background: Hydrocephalus is a neurological disease with higher prevalence in the pediatric population, often managed by placing a shunt. This hollow tube drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to other body parts, resulting in several complications, including neurological and psychometric manifestations and a compromised quality-of-life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate QoL in patients with hydrocephalus shunt placement within the pediatric population. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in two major Pakistani tertiary care hospitals. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled, of which 52 were found eligible. A validated questionnaire, HOQ, was used to evaluate patients' QoL. Results: This study included pediatric patients with a mean age of 6.54 and a standard deviation of ± 2.64. The male-to-female ratio was 27:25. 2% of patients had congenital or tumor-induced hydrocephalus, while cases of meningitis, encephalocele, and encephalitis accounted for 8, 4, and 2 percent respectively. Myelomeningocele had the highest prevalence at 16%. The overall health scores range from 0.39 to 0.51. Social, cognitive, and physical health scores have mean values of 0.54, 0.50, and 0.48, respectively. The minimum physical health score is 0.17, indicating the most significant impact of hydrocephalus on physical function. Conclusion: This study highlights variations in hydrocephalus severity among pediatric patients, impacting their overall QoL, primarily physical and behavioral functioning. Worse health outcomes were associated with frequent seizures, prolonged hospital stays for diagnosis and treatment, shunt infections, increased number of shunt catheters, and longer travel distances to medical facilities.

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