Quality of life after total laryngectomy: evaluating the effect of socioeconomic status

Abstract

ObjectiveTotal laryngectomy is considered the primary treatment modality for advanced laryngeal carcinoma. This study assessed the quality of life in patients after total laryngectomy, and ascertained whether quality of life is affected by socioeconomic status.MethodForty-seven patients (20 state- and 27 private-sector) who underwent total laryngectomy between 1998 and 2014 responded to the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire.ResultsSignificant differences were found in socioeconomic status between state- and private-sector patients (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in overall quality of life between groups (p = 0.210). State-sector patients scored significantly higher Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire scores (p = 0.043). Perception of illness did not differ significantly between groups.ConclusionOverall quality of life after total laryngectomy appears to be similar in patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds. However, patients from lower socioeconomic circumstances have better voice-related quality of life. The results illustrate the importance of including socioeconomic status when reporting voice outcomes in total laryngectomy patients.

Health‐Related Quality of Life Following Total Laryngectomy: A Systematic Review

“…In total, eight studies reported on the UW-QOL. 12,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53] A majority of studies presented mean scores reaching the MCID threshold when compared with the normative reference data in most domains, except pain, saliva, and anxiety. In these three domains, between a quarter and a third of studies presented a mean score reaching the MCID threshold (Fig.…”

Semon Lecture: ‘Laryngectomy Practice Based on Personal Research’, Royal Society of Medicine, 5 November 2020, London, UK

“…We conducted a study to examine whether QoL after laryngectomy is affected by socioeconomic status, and whether potential laryngectomy patients should be counselled differently depending on their socioeconomic status. 17 Specifically, we carried out a cross-sectional, observational QoL assessment of public (Groote Schuur Hospital) versus private patients, more than two years after laryngectomy. Quality of life was measured using the Updated University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire, the Voice-Related Quality of Life questionnaire and the Brief Illness Perception questionnaire.…”

“…; 15,16 and ( 7) does socioeconomic status affect QoL after total laryngectomy? 17,18 Does tracheostomy cause peristomal recurrence?…”

Quality of life among total laryngectomized patients undergoing speech rehabilitation: correlation between several instruments

“…However, most of these studies use a single questionnaire, or they apply one specific voice and one specific cancer to assess different forms of rehabilitation when more than one are associated (9,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Previous studies have compared different instruments for monitoring quality of life after cancer treatment but without detailing the variable of phonatoric rehabilitation (17)(18)(19). The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) (20) and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) (21) are among the quality of life instruments most widely used by voice specialists.…”

“…Some studies have applied UW-QOL to investigate individuals who have undergone total laryngectomy (19,16), to compare quality of life between a group of total laryngectomized individuals and a group of individuals who underwent organ preservation treatment (31) or for the comparison among tracheoesophageal prosthesis, oesophageal voice or electronic larynx (16).…”