Impact of middle ear and mastoid surgery on quality of life
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What is the impact of middle ear and mastoid surgery on health-related quality of life?
IRAS ID
136198
Contact name
John Phillips
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Chronic ear disease is a condition that may be associated with significant morbidity and affects approximately 2% of the population. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurements reflect the overall burden of disease from the perspective of the patient rather than the healthcare system. This is particularly pertinent in the realm of ear surgery where clinical, radiological, and audiological findings often correlate in a variable manner. Furthermore the use of HRQoL measures has been shown to aid both the patient’s prioritisation of their symptoms and the management their individual expectations.
A considered appraisal of patient symptoms is key when assessing the results of both surgical and non-surgical interventions. In a wider context, ambitions to publish both patient-reported outcomes and clinical outcomes for the purposes of benchmarking, improving standards, and determining payment to health-care providers has been set out by the UK Government in its recent White Paper. The role of patient reported outcome measures is likely to represent an important part of the revalidation process of doctors in the UK.
The COMQ-12 is a 12-item multiple-choice disease specific HRQoL questionnaire. Preliminary work on the validation of the COMQ-12 questionnaire has been encouraging and provided the opportunity to examine many dimensions of chronic middle ear disease. Now that preliminary work on the validation of the COMQ-12 questionnaire has been completed, we wish to turn our attention to examining improvement in QoL in patients undergoing middle ear and mastoid surgery.
Primary aims
1 Change in HRQoL after surgery for COM using the COMQ-12.
2 Relative implications of hearing gain and having a dry ear as reported by the COMQ-12.
Secondary aims
1 Assess test-retest variability of the COMQ-12
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1532
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion