Impact of Graves' orbitopathy on quality of life

Abstract

Objective. This study was conducted to assess the impact of Graves' orbitopathy on the quality of life in our population by using disease-specific questionnaire (GO-QOL) recommended by the European Group on Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO). Methods. The study was conducted as a prospective cross-sectional and longitudinal trial that included adult patients of both sexes with GO. The quality of life assessment was performed with the standardized questionnaire of the European Group on Graves' orbitopathy. The study included 39 people (34 women, 5 men) who were, from September 2007 to January 2009, examined for the existence of GO. Results. Data obtained from the analysis of questionnaires showed that the quality of life of patients with Graves' orbitopathy was significantly diminished in our population, and that the higher the disease activity score was the lower the quality of life score was. The severity of the disease correlated with the deterioration of the quality of life. This correlation was present in both functional and especially in emotional aspects of the disease. Conclusion. The disease-specific questionnaire proved to be a useful instrument for the quality of life assessment in our population. Although some questions specific to our population become apparent through the interview with patients, we think that it is necessary to keep the original form of GO-QOL questionnaire, not only for the purpose of comparison of data, but also because of the need for Serbia to become suitable for EUGOGO membership.