THE ROMANIAN VERSION OF THE THYROID-RELATED PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES THYPRO AND THYPRO-39. TRANSLATION AND ASSESSMENT OF RELIABILITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL VALIDITY

Quality of life, daily functioning, and symptoms in hypothyroid patients on thyroid replacement therapy: A Dutch survey

Objective

To explore the nature and extent of possible residual complaints among Dutch hypothyroid patients using thyroid replacement therapy, we initiated a comprehensive study measuring health-related quality of life (QoL), daily functioning, and hypothyroidism-associated symptoms in patients and control persons.

Methods

An online survey measuring thyroid-specific QoL (ThyPRO), daily functioning, and hypothyroidism-associated symptoms (ThySHI) was distributed among treated hypothyroid patients and control individuals. The advertising text was formulated in an open-ended manner. Patients also provided their most recent thyroid blood values and their thyroid medication.

Results

There was a large-sized impairment of QoL (Cohen's d = 1.04, +93 % ThyPRO score) in hypothyroid patients on thyroid replacement therapy (n = 1195) as compared to controls (n = 236). Daily functioning was significantly reduced i.e., general health (-38 %), problems with vigorous- (+64 %) and moderate activities (+77 %). Almost 80 % of patients reported having complaints despite thyroid medication and in-range thyroid blood values, with 75 % expressing a desire for improved treatment options for hypothyroidism (total n = 1194). Hypothyroid patients experienced 2.8 times more intense hypothyroidism-associated symptoms than controls (n = 865, n = 203 resp). Patients' median reported serum concentrations were: TSH 0.90 mU/L, FT4 17.0 pmol/L, and FT3 2.67 pmol/L, with 52 % having low T3 levels (<3.1 pmol/L). The QoL was not found to be related to age, sex, BMI, menopausal status, stress, serum thyroid parameters, the origin and duration of hypothyroidism, the type of thyroid medication, or the LT4 dose used.

Conclusions

Our study revealed major reductions in quality of life and daily functioning, and nearly three times more intense hypothyroidism-associated symptoms in treated hypothyroid patients as compared to controls, despite treatment and largely in-range serum TSH/FT4 concentrations. The QoL was not associated with serum thyroid parameters. We recommend future research into the origin of persisting complaints and the development of improved treatment modalities for hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disease-specific quality of life questionnaires - A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid diseases are very common and rarely life-threatening. One of the main therapeutic goals is an improvement in quality of life, making it important to measure in clinical and research settings. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the currently available thyroid-specific quality of life questionnaires with regard to their validation quality in order to make recommendations for clinical use with a special focus on German questionnaires.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in Pubmed, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library. A total of 904 studies were identified. After excluding duplicates, non-English- or German-language texts, full texts that were not freely available and studies with irrelevant content, 64 studies reporting on 16 different questionnaires were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

Four questionnaires concerned benign thyroid diseases (ThyPRO, ThyPRO-39, Thy-R-HRQoL and Thy-D-QOL), six malignant thyroid diseases (THYCA-QoL, ThyCa-HRLQOL, EORTC-Thy34, MADSI-Thy, QOL-Thyroid and ThyCAT), and six endocrine orbitopathy (GO-QOL, GO-QLS, TED-QOL, STED-QOL, TAO-QoL and Ox-TED). Only five questionnaires were at least developed, if not validated, in German, and five were developed in more than two languages.

CONCLUSIONS

ThyPRO and the ThyPRO-39 are the best-evaluated questionnaires for benign thyroid diseases. Alternatively, in hypothyroid patients, the adequately validated Thy-D-QoL can be used. For malignant thyroid diseases, the choice should be made individually, as all six questionnaires (THYCA-QoL, ThyCA-HRQOL, EORTC-Thy34, MDASI-Thy, QOL-Thyroid and ThyCAT) have different strengths and weaknesses. The GO-QOL is the best-validated questionnaire in endocrine orbitopathy. However, the TED-QOL is also suitable as a short-screening questionnaire for these patients.

Impact of thyroidectomy on quality of life in benign goitres: results from a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Benign thyroid diseases encompass a large spectrum of conditions that are chronic and subtle in nature. A majority of patients choose non-surgical management and continue living their daily lives with subconscious impairment of optimal functioning. We studied the effect of thyroidectomy on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with benign goitres.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 50 patients between January 2017 and August 2018 using the ThyPRO 39 questionnaire. This is a disease-specific health-related questionnaire administered the day before surgery and 6 months following surgery. Data analysis was performed using EpiData Manager and EpiData Entry Client (v 3.1).

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort was 43.30 years ± 11.61, with a female preponderance (34:16). The most common indications for surgery were suspicion of malignancy and compressive symptoms in 34% and 30%, respectively. The most common histopathology reported was nodular/adenomatous hyperplasia (56%). Prior to surgery, the most common domains affected were emotional susceptibility and tiredness. Following surgery, a significant improvement in all domains of the ThyPRO 39 questionnaire were seen except for psychological well-being (p=0.126). In addition, the composite scores significantly improved (p<0.001). Younger age, female gender, and longer duration of goitre were the factors that significantly affected the outcomes in various domains.

CONCLUSION

Patients with benign goitres have subtle impairment of QoL which showed significant improvement following thyroidectomy.

Validity and reliability of the German version of the shortened thyroid-specific quality of life questionnaire (ThyPRO-39de)

OBJECTIVES

Validation of a German version of the ThyPRO-39 questionnaire for quality of life (QoL) in patients with benign thyroid diseases.

DESIGN

Internal consistency, retest reliability, and validity were to be assessed in a test-retest study.

METHODS

The ThyPRO-39 was translated based on standard methodology. A sample of 98 patients with benign thyroid diseases was tested with the ThyPRO-39de and the generic EuroQol 5D-5L. Forty-four patients with stable symptoms after 2 weeks formed the repeated measures sample. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for the ThyPRO-39de composite score and for each disease-specific scale. Intraclass correlations between the original and the repeated measures sample were calculated for each scale as well as Pearson correlations between various ThyPRO scales and the EuroQol. T-tests were used to test for differences in the goiter and hyperthyroid symptom scales between relevant patient groups and other patients.

RESULTS

Internal consistency was between satisfactory and good, except for two scales (tiredness and cosmetic complaints/appearance). The test-retest correlation was between 0.62 and 0.8 for most scales, but below 0.5 for two scales (tiredness and impaired social life). There were significant correlations between the EuroQol index score and most aspects of the ThyPRO-39de. Only the hyperthyroid symptoms scale was specific for the relevant patient group (Graves' disease).

CONCLUSION

The ThyPRO-39de may be recommended for use in clinical and research settings, especially with regards to the composite score. However, the underlying thyroid disease should always be kept in mind when interpreting the test results. A larger sample would be needed to implement further improvements.

Psychometric properties of the thyroid-specific quality of life questionnaire ThyPRO in Singaporean patients with Graves' disease

BACKGROUND

Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It results in accelerated tissue metabolism with multi-organ involvement ranging from cardiovascular to neuropsychological function. This results in a negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) of the individual patient. We aim to evaluate the psychometric properties of ThyPRO, a Thyroid-related Patient Reported Outcome questionnaire, and validate its use in our multi-ethnic Asian patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism.

METHODS

Forty-seven consecutive Graves' hyperthyroidism patients answered the ThyPRO questionnaire at baseline and at 4 months after treatment initiation. Data were recorded for thyroid related symptoms and signs, thyroid function tests and thyroid volume. We analyzed the internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, construct validity by evaluating relationship between clinical variables and ThyPRO scales, ceiling and floor effects, and responsiveness of ThyPRO to treatment based on Cohen's effect size.

RESULTS

Correlations between individual scale scores and free thyroxine concentrations were moderate and statistically significant: 0.21-0.64 (p <  0.05). There was high internal consistency between the items in this instrument, Cronbach's alpha > 0.7 for all scales. ThyPRO was responsive to the changes in QOL after treatment (Effect Size: 0.20-0.77) in 9 of the 14 scales including the hyperthyroid symptoms and psychosocial scales (Tiredness, Cognitive complaints, Anxiety, Emotional susceptibility, Impact on Social, Daily and Sex life).

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that ThyPRO has satisfactory measurement properties in hyperthyroid Graves' disease patients in Singapore population with the potential to complement clinical care.

Validity and Reliability of the Thai Version of the Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome-A Thyroid-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire

Introduction  The Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome (ThyPRO) is a new thyroid-specific quality of life patient-reported outcome measure for benign thyroid disorders.

Objective  The objective of this study was to investigate the face validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the Thai version of the ThyPRO (ThyPROth).

Methods  The translation of the ThyPRO questionnaire was performed using double forward translation, reconciliation, single backward translation, and cognitive debriefing, followed by a panel review. Five thyroid patients evaluated the face validity. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated in 30 patients with thyroid diseases.

Results  The overall validity score was 3.75 (range 0–4). The Cronbach α coefficient ranged from 0.76 to 0.95, with a total coefficient of 0.97 (95% CI 0.962–0.959), indicating excellent internal consistency. The test-retest reliability coefficient ranged from 0.70 to 0.97. All values were 0.70 and above. The total reliability coefficient was 0.86 (95% CI 0.724–0.932), indicating excellent reliability.

Conclusion  The ThyPROth was found to be valid and to exhibit good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The questionnaire is ready for implementation in the assessment of health-related quality of life in Thai patients with benign thyroid diseases.

A Prospective Study about the Influence of Selenium Based Supplements on the Autoimmune Process Evolution and the Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of two different Selenium based supplements on patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 50 patients with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, who were divided into three different treatment groups, one group taking Selenium 100 μg, one Procor T (a combination of Selenium 100 μg and other elements like copper, Zinc and Q10 Conenzyme) and one control group taking Placebo pills. We measured on two follow up visits the antibody levels (anti-thyroidperoxidase- TPO Ab) and offered each patient a standardised questionnaire regarding the thyroid-related quality of life (THYPROro).

Results: At the 6 months follow up visit there was a statistically significant decrease in the antibody levels for each treatment group compared to the base levels. The THYPROro questionnaire scores showed an improvement in most aspects regarding the quality of life as well, but there was no significant difference between the placebo and the treated groups in the magnitude of this improvement.

Conclusions: Based on our results, we could not identify a certain benefit in improving quality of life with the supplementation of Selenium, as the improvements were at a similar level for the patients who took Placebo pills. Further studies with more patients, as well as taking the Selenium defficiency in consideration (by measuring the basal serum level of Selenium for each patient) would be required to find the target group of patients who could have most benefits of Selenium-based supplementation.