The short form 36 (SF36) in a specialist tinnitus clinic

Tinnitus is an extremely common condition which is known to have an effect on quality of life. This study reports the health profile of tinnitus sufferers who attend a specialist tinnitus clinic. This cross-sectional study uses the self-report questionnaire SF36. Two hundred consecutive new patients completed the questionnaire as part of their assessment in a specialist tinnitus clinic in Wales. In all eight scales of the SF36 the mean scores were below that of the general population. Compared to a reference population patients referred to a specialist tinnitus clinic show a reduction in their age/sex-adjusted health profile which is comparable to that of people reporting low back pain. The findings also lend weight to the suggestion that tinnitus sufferers may have a general response bias.