Neurosurgical Patient's Quality of Life: A Questionnaire-Based Study

The burden of disease, as well as social and epidemiological factors, have a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Especially in neurosurgery, patients commonly experience a decline in their quality of life. This study aims to assess the quality of life of neurosurgical patients and evaluate the impact of epidemiologic and disease-related factors.

Adult, non-trauma neurosurgical patients were included in the study, which took place in the Neurosurgical Department at AHEPA University Hospital. Self-administered questionnaires including the 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36) and the EQ-5D-5L were used to assess the overall patient's quality of life. Additionally, all patients were asked to provide data on the perceived severity of the disease and the extent of information regarding their health condition. Epidemiologic factors including gender, age, education level, and rural or urban living environment were also taken into account. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the impact of the aforementioned parameters on the patient's quality of life.

In total, 74 patients were included in the study (56.9% male, mean age: 51 years). In general, better mean scores were observed in general health perception, vitality, social role functioning, and mental health, whereas the lowest values were detected in the reported physical and emotional role functioning. No statistically significant differences were observed among genders. Age was found to impact the general health perception and EQ-VAS (visual analog scale) score, while physical functioning presented significant differences depending on the patient's living environment and education level, with better scores for rural residents and secondary education graduates. The perceived severity of the health condition presented a significant negative effect on the EQ-VAS score, while it affected significantly physical functioning, with better outcomes reported by patients dealing with more serious diseases. Finally, in most of the evaluated categories, the level of information seemed to increase the reported quality of life, even though statistical significance was not confirmed.

Quality of life should be taken into account when treating neurosurgical patients, and utilizing measuring tools assists in objectively evaluating their well-being. Most parameters that influence the patient's quality of life are fixed. Therefore, based on our study results, healthcare professionals should prioritize providing comprehensive information regarding the patient's disease and treatment, as the level of information seems to improve the overall patient's quality of life.