Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of gender on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic sinusitis
Methods
A prospectively administered survey was performed. For measuring HRQOL, we used the German versions of the Short Form 36 (SF-36; eight subscales) and the European Quality of Life—5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) (two subscales). For all SF-36 subscales we used norm-based scoring of the general German population.
Results
One hundred twenty-three patients (45 women and 78 men) underwent HRQOL evaluation at baseline (preoperatively) and 3 months after endonasal sinus surgery. Compared with male patients, female patients scored a significantly worse baseline in all SF-36 and one EQ-5D subscales and 3 months later in only one SF-36 subscale. Compared with the norm-based scores, both women's and men's SF-36 scores reached normal levels in seven subscales after 3 months.
Conclusion
Compared with men, women assessed preoperative HRQOL as being worse. Most women's and men's SF-36 subscales reached normal levels at the 3-month follow-up.
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