Background: We have used the SF-36, an accepted health status assessment tool, in conjunction with condition-specific clinical information, to assess patient-reported health status before and after operation for primary hyperparathyroidism (1 degree HPT).
Methods: Beginning in March, 1994, a convenience sample of patients has been asked to complete the SF-36 and provide additional demographic and condition-specific information for study. The SF-36, which measures eight components of functional status and well-being, is completed in person before operation and again by mail at 2 and 6 months after operation. Clinical and condition-specific data are gathered at the same times.
Results: Fifty-nine patients have entered the study; 56 had abnormal parathyroid tissue removed. Patients with 1 degree HPT have lower SF-36 scores in all health domains at baseline than do healthy patients. At 2 months, scale scores for emotional role limitations and bodily pain improved by more than 10 points. At 6 months all eight scale scores showed improvement, seven of eight by 10 points or more. Commensurate improvements in HPT-specific measures were also seen.
Conclusions: Patient-reported measurements of health outcomes after parathyroidectomy for 1 degree HPT show improvement in all aspects of health status 6 months after operation. Most dramatic improvements were reported in reduction of bodily pain and in improved vitality and emotional and physical function. Surgical correction of 1 degree HPT improves patient health status and quality of life.