Objective: To institute and test the quality of life for laryngectomy, and evaluate the feasibility of above questionnaire in patients after laryngectomy.
Methods: A questionnaire of quality of life for laryngectomy was instituted. An investigation was conducted in patients treated by partial (36, Group A) or total (45, Group B) laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer with above questionnaire. The feasibility, reliability and validity of the questionnaire was evaluated, the quality of life and the influencing factors in laryngectomy were also analyzed.
Results: The questionnaire of quality of life for laryngectomy consists of 22 items, covering six aspects. The questionnaire has a comparatively good reliability, and the criterion-related validity and content validity of the questionnaire is valid. The correlation coefficient of split-half method and Cronback's alpha of questionnaire were 0.842 and 0.889 respectively. The composite quality of life scores of group A were significant higher than those of group B ( P < 0.001). The differences in physical function, laryngeal function, psychological state, the ability of living independently were statistically significant (P < 0.001; P < 0.001; P < 0.01; P < 0.05) as well. Seven factors including operative modality, tumor stage, postoperative complication, coexisted disease, family incomes, voicing modality and wearing tracheo-cannula were related to postlaryngectomy quality of life.
Conclusions: The questionnaire of quality of life for laryngectomy has speciality in laryngectomy and a comparatively good reliability and validity, and it is suitable for quality of life research in patients after laryngectomy.