Health-Related Quality of Life for Thyroid Patients
Health-Related Quality of Life for Thyroid Patients
Background:

 Thyroid diseases are frequent. They include both metabolic changes and gland enlargement
 (goitre). Previous research and clinical suspicion indicate that the life quality of many
 patients is reduced despite successful treatment. Research methods are, however, weak, and a
 well-tested, disease specific quality of life questionnaire is especially needed. Several
 treatment possibilities exist for each thyroid disease. For example, hypermetabolism can be
 treated with either medication, radioactive iodine or by surgery. No comparative studies of
 quality of life using the different treatment modalities exist.

 Purpose:

 To develop and evaluate a questionnaire to measure health-related quality of life in patients
 suffering from thyroid diseases.

 Methods:

 To ensure that all relevant aspects are included, the questionnaire will be developed on the
 basis of a systematic examination of the scientific literature and interviews with 13
 physicians and 100 patients. The questionnaire will then be tested by 100 new patients. After
 revision, the questionnaire will be answered by 1000 patients with a view to scientifically
 investigate the measuring capacity of the questionnaire. This will be done using traditional
 psychology methods (psychometry) as well as modern statistical methods (structural equations
 for categorical data and "item response" models).

 Relevance:

 The above-mentioned questionnaire is necessary for clarifying whether these diseases reduce
 quality of life and, in the long-term, whether a difference in quality of life exists using
 the different treatment alternatives and whether treatment can be improved. It should also be
 included in quality protection studies, in the evaluation of new treatment modalities and
 possibly also in the treatment of the individual patient.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  All patients with benign thyroid disease.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Unable to complete questionnaire: must be able to read and write Danish