Arja Mainio
Department of Psychiatry P.O. BOX 26, 90029 OYS
Finland
Research Article
Gender Difference in Quality of Life among Brain Tumor Survivors
Author(s): Asko Niemelä, John Koivukangas, Riitta Herva M.D, Helinä Hakko, Pirkko Räsänen and Arja MainioAsko Niemelä, John Koivukangas, Riitta Herva M.D, Helinä Hakko, Pirkko Räsänen and Arja Mainio
Background: Gender differences and long-term consequences of brain tumor on quality of life (QOL) have been sparsely studied.
Methods: QOL measures were assessed in 81 consecutive brain tumor patients who had survived for 5-7 years after surgical treatment. Of these patients, 22 % had gliomas, 51 % had meningiomas, 16 % had acoustic neurinomas and 11 % had pituitary adenomas. The QOL measures were the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and the Health Measurement Questionnaire (HMQ).
Results: Female patients with gliomas had significantly more distress as measured by the HMQ and significantly worse functional state in terms of the KPS compared to patients with other tumors, while among male patients there were no differences between tumor groups. Significant gender differences between the genders.. View More»
