Evaluation of life quality, self-confidence and sexual functions in patients with total and partial laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE

In this study patients who have undergone partial (PL) or total laryngectomy (TL) were evaluated for life quality, self-esteem and sexual dysfunctions.

METHODS

108 patients who received TL or PL without tracheostoma were included in this study. During patient interview, sociodemographical data form, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Life Questionnaire Core 30 Items, Cancer and Head and Neck module-35 Items (EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35) were filled and patients were also asked to fill in Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) forms.

RESULTS

Depression and anxiety scores and points taken from RSES were significantly different between TL and PL patients (p=0.045, p=0.041 and p=0.006 respectively). Although the difference was not significant in ASEX (p=0.174), the average scores of sexuality subunit (QL-35 59-60) of EORTC QLQ-H&N35 module were significantly different in these patients (p<0.001). Besides, it was shown that 90.3% of TL patients and 63.9% of PL patients have experienced negative effects in sexual functions.

CONCLUSION

TL patients were more often observed to have problems regarding depression, anxiety, self-esteem and sexual functions and it is concluded that they may need psychosocial support more than PL patients.