The impact of acoustic neuroma on long-term quality-of-life outcomes in the United Kingdom

To quantify the impact of acoustic neuroma on the quality-of-life (QOL) patients in the United Kingdom.

Online questionnaire survey.

Members of the British Acoustic Neuroma Association received PANQOL questionnaires.

Of the 880 BANA members contacted, 397 (45.1%) responded, although only 359 had complete datasets for analysis. Composite QOL scores were as follows: for microsurgery 58 (SD 35), for radiotherapy 56 (SD18), for combination of surgery and radiotherapy 49 (SD 14), and for the observation group 54 (SD 20). No statistical significance with ANOVA (p = 0.532). Mean (SD) composite QOL scores were as follows: for follow-up <6 52 (SD 18), for follow-up 6-10 55 (SD 20) and follow-up > 10 years 65 (SD 45). Overall, these values were significantly different compared by ANOVA (p <0.001). Patients with facial paralysis showed no statistical significant differences between the different treatment groups.

Short- (<6 years) and long-term (> 10 years) QOL outcomes show no significant differences between the different treatment groups.