274
Views
13
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Mouth/pharynx

Effect of tonsillectomy on health-related quality of life and costs

, , , &
Pages 499-503 | Received 27 Jun 2012, Accepted 04 Sep 2012, Published online: 17 May 2013
 

Abstract

Conclusion: Tonsillectomy (TE) seems to be a cost-saving procedure with a positive effect on a patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore how TE affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the costs due to health service use and absence from work. Methods: All 557 patients over the age of 15 years undergoing scheduled TE in the Helsinki University Central Hospital's Otorhinolaryngological Department between February 2008 and June 2009 were asked to participate and to complete the 15D HRQoL questionnaire as well as a questionnaire exploring the use of health-care services during the preceding 3 months. Follow-up questionnaires were sent 6 and 12 months after the operation. Results: Of the 557 patients, 124 (22%) answered all three questionnaires. Preoperatively the patients were significantly worse off than the age- and gender-standardized general population. TE improved their HRQoL on 6 of the 15 dimensions, and overall (15D score improved from baseline 0.939 to 0.959 at 12 months, p < 0.001). The most marked improvement (p < 0.001) occurred on the dimensions of breathing, sleeping, and discomfort and symptoms. Self-reported costs due to health service use and absence from work distinctly diminished.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Notes

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 226.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.