Functional outcome in the neurosurgical patient and its impact on quality of life.

Outcomes research has become an integral part of most clinical studies today. Extent of resection, increased median survival, and "time to progression" are no longer the only important end points in need of assessment. Identifying the long-term adverse effects of treatment has become increasingly important as patients try to resume previous activities and an independent lifestyle. The measurement of functional states and health-related quality of life issues are at the forefront of medicine and have become necessary measures of functional outcome following the treatment of a variety of medical and surgical disorders. In this article, we review the most recent studies on the functional outcome of patients undergoing neurological surgeries and its impact on quality of life.