Anxiety, optimism and symptom reporting following surgery for acoustic neuroma

In this study, a sample of 141 patients operated on for acoustic neuroma tumor were followed-up. The patients completed questionnaires on residual symptoms, hearing problems, anxiety, and optimism. Postoperative facial function was assessed by the treating physician. Multiple regression analyses showed that anxiety, age, and facial function were associated with symptom reporting. Anxiety was also related to hearing problems. Optimism was not associated with either symptoms or hearing problems. Results on the Beck Anxiety Inventory showed that relatively few patients had a moderate degree of anxiety.