BACKGROUND: In endocrine orbitopathy (EO), disfiguring proptosis and diplopia impair patients' quality of life both at home and at work. METHODS: From late 2006 to the beginning of 2008, 250 outpatients in an interdisciplinary thyroid and eye clinic filled out a questionnaire about their quality of life, occupational disability, and use of psychotherapy. 400 physicians who referred their EO patients to the clinic also participated in a survey on these issues. RESULTS: 45% of the patients complained of restrictions in their daily activities, and 38% reported impaired self-perception. 36% were on sick leave because of EO. 28% were disabled, 5% had retired early, and 3% had lost their jobs. Patients with severe EO and motility disorders were on sick leave for longer times and were more likely to be disabled. 21% underwent psychotherapy. Patients who had been on sick leave for a long time and/or were disabled were more likely to undergo psychotherapy. Among the physicians answering the survey, 75% stated that they were taking care of temporarily disabled patients, while 34% were taking care of permanently disabled patients. 38% were treating EO patients who were undergoing psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that patients with EO suffer considerable emotional stress and occupational impairment and point to the need for preventive care and rapid rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND: In endocrine orbitopathy (EO), disfiguring proptosis and diplopia impair patients' quality of life both at home and at work. METHODS: From late 2006 to the beginning of 2008, 250 outpatients in an interdisciplinary thyroid and eye clinic filled out a questionnaire about their quality of life, occupational disability, and use of psychotherapy. 400 physicians who referred their EO patients to the clinic also participated in a survey on these issues. RESULTS: 45% of the patients complained of restrictions in their daily activities, and 38% reported impaired self-perception. 36% were on sick leave because of EO. 28% were disabled, 5% had retired early, and 3% had lost their jobs. Patients with severe EO and motility disorders were on sick leave for longer times and were more likely to be disabled. 21% underwent psychotherapy. Patients who had been on sick leave for a long time and/or were disabled were more likely to undergo psychotherapy. Among the physicians answering the survey, 75% stated that they were taking care of temporarily disabled patients, while 34% were taking care of permanently disabled patients. 38% were treating EO patients who were undergoing psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that patients with EO suffer considerable emotional stress and occupational impairment and point to the need for preventive care and rapid rehabilitation.
Entities:
Keywords:
Graves’ disease; endocrine orbitopathy; impaired earning capacity; occupational disability; quality of life
Authors: George R Beauchamp; Bradley C Black; David K Coats; Robert W Enzenauer; Amy K Hutchinson; Richard A Saunders; John W Simon; David R Stager; David R Stager; M Edward Wilson; Jitka Zobal-Ratner; Joost Felius Journal: J AAPOS Date: 2005-10 Impact factor: 1.220
Authors: G B Bartley; V Fatourechi; E F Kadrmas; S J Jacobsen; D M Ilstrup; J A Garrity; C A Gorman Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 1996-04 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: Elisabeth J M Zirkzee; Arina C Sneep; Petronella D M de Buck; Cornelia F Allaart; Andreas J Peeters; H Karel Ronday; Marie Louise Westedt; Saskia le Cessie; Theodora P M Vliet Vlieland Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2007-05-10 Impact factor: 2.980
Authors: P Perros; T Chandler; C M Dayan; A J Dickinson; P Foley; J Hickey; C J Macewen; J H Lazarus; J McLaren; G E Rose; J M Uddin; B Vaidya Journal: Eye (Lond) Date: 2011-12-09 Impact factor: 3.775
Authors: Annabelle Marie Lat; Maria Cristina Jauculan; Charisse Ann Sanchez; Cecilia Jimeno; Cherrie Mae Sison-Peña; Mary Rose Pe-Yan; Paulo Ma Pagkatipunan; Armida Suller; Marianne Cena Journal: J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc Date: 2017-09-07