Quality of life after thyroid surgery in women with benign euthyroid goiter: influencing factors including Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Background

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL). Thyroid surgery could hypothetically lead to an increase in QoL.

Methods

In a follow-up analysis of a prospective cohort study that included euthyroid women undergoing thyroid surgery for benign thyroid disease, 248 patients were willing to answer the SF-36 QoL questionnaire.

Results

At follow-up after a median of 26 months, only the SF-36 module of “bodily pain” had increased (P = .046). Preoperative anti–thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were positively correlated with increasing QoL in the SF-36 modules “bodily pain” (P < .001) and “role emotional” (P < .001). For the presence of histologically confirmed Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a significant positive correlation (P < .001) was found for all modules apart from “physical functioning.”

Conclusions

In women with benign euthyroid goiter, thyroid surgery does not lead to an overall improvement in health-related QoL. It should not be recommended for patients with elevated anti–thyroid peroxidase antibody levels. Patients with histologically confirmed Hashimoto's thyroiditis might benefit in terms of QoL.