J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2016 Oct;57(10):1514-1520. 10.3341/jkos.2016.57.10.1514.

Change in Quality of Life after Orbital Decompression Surgery in Patients with Dysthyroid Ophthalmopathy

• Huh J
• Lee JK

• KMID: 2355404
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2016.57.10.1514

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effect of orbital decompression surgery on quality of life in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients.
METHODS
From August 2014 to December 2015, 80 patients diagnosed with TAO at our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 30 patients who underwent orbital decompression surgery and 50 patients who did not receive surgery. The Korean version of the Grave's ophthalmopathy specific quality of life (GO-QoL) questionnaire was completed by all patients. We compared questionnaire scores between groups and analyzed demographic and clinical factors affecting change in GO-QoL.
RESULTS
The patients who underwent orbital decompression had lower mean GO-QoL score for appearance in comparison with patients without orbital decompression (p < 0.001). The mean GO-QoL score for appearance was increased from 28.8 ± 17.1 to 51.5 ± 18.8 after orbital decompression (p = 0.024). The mean GO-QoL score for visual function was not different between the patients who did not receive surgery and the orbital decompression group. The mean GO-QoL score for visual function was not changed after orbital decompression. There was a significant relation between postoperative proptosis degree and change in GO-QoL score for appearance after orbital decompression.
CONCLUSIONS
GO-QoL score for appearance was significantly improved after orbital decompression surgery, and psychological interventions should be considered to enhance the quality of life outcomes.

Keyword

Dysthyroid ophthalmopathy; Orbital decompression; Quality of life