Swallowing Function Before and After Surgery for Thyroid Goiter

N/ACompletedNCT00205348

University of Wisconsin, Madison146 enrolled

Overview

To date, there have been no comprehensive studies on swallowing function in patients undergoing surgery for multinodular goiter. We hypothesize that 1. Multinodular goiter has significant effect on swallowing function in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, which can be demonstrated by a standardized questionnaire and a formal swallowing evaluation and 2. Surgery will improve swallowing function as measured post-operatively by these same parameters. Patients with multinodular goiter will be asked to fill out a validated survey (SWAL-QOL) on swallowing function in addition to undergoing a formal swallowing evaluation before and after surgery for multinodular goiter (subtotal thyroidectomy) and compared to patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for follicular cancer and less extensive thyroid surgery for other benign processes (lobectomy or lobectomy plus isthmusectomy).

Detailed description not desired.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

146

Conditions

Hypothyroidism

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * thyroidectomy Exclusion Criteria: * na

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Swallowing Quality of Life

The swallowing quality of life (SWAL-QOL) validated outcomes assessment tool will be used before and one year after surgery to measure changes in swallowing-related QOL in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. The SWAL-QOL is a 44 item tool that asks patients to rate several factors about 10 quality-of-life concepts related to swallowing on a 5 point scale.Data were collected on demographic and clinicopathologic variables, and comparisons were made to determine the effect of surgery on patients' perceptions of swallowing function. A score of 0 represents the least favorable state, and 100 the most favorable. It has been validated and has favorable psychometric properties, including high internal-consistency reliability and reproducibility. The scales of the instrument differentiate patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia from normal swallowers and are sensitive to clinically-relevant differences in dysphagia severity in patients with medically and surgically treated conditions.