Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: The prevalence of thyreoid diseases eg hyperthyreosis and hypothyreosis in Slovak Republic is about 240 000 patients. The objective of this study was to find out the level of quality of life (QoL) in patients and other relevant characteristics of diseaseas.

Methods: The primary method used for the analysis of QoL was the own orginal combined questionnaire. Statistical methods from Excel 2010 were used in results evaluation.

Results: There were 214 patients in the examined group: 34 patients with hyperthyreosis (10 men, 24 women) – group A, and 180 patients with hyperthyreosis (25 men, 155 women) – group B. QoL was evaluated on numeric scales from 0 – the worst to 10 – the best. Present level of QoL was 6.4 vs 7.25, when in the time of diagnosis it was 4.6 vs 6.0, in the time without disease – 7.6 vs 8.3 and in the time excellent health – 8.0 vs 9.2. The average duration of disease was 6.5 vs 11.30 years and the duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 0.74 vs 0.99 years. Patients were very satisfied with the level of information about their disease: 4.6 vs 4.3, with medical care – 4.8 vs 4.7 and with nursing care4.8 vs 4.7 (1- the worst, 5- the best). Disability of work was 0.8 vs 4.9 days in employed patients (19 in group a and 79 in group B) per year. Patients visited endocrinologic outpatients department 5.1 vs 2.2 times per year. Willingness to pay was 55 vs 48 € per month.

Conclusions: Hyperthyreosis and hypothyreosis had a significant impact on patients’s QoL mostly hyperthyreosis. There are a significant differences in duration of disease and symptoms, disability of work and professional visits – hyperthyreosis had greater impact. Information about the disease, evaluation of medical and nursing care and willingness to pay had no statistical differences.