ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Otorhinolaryngology 2023 March;73(1):13-7

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6302.22.02451-3

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Gender and quality of life in laryngectomized patients

Grazia SALERNO ¹, Paola VILLARI ¹, Vincenzo CATALANO ¹, Luigi SIVERO ², Serena VOLPE ², Nelson M. MALDONATO ¹, Mario BOTTONE ¹, Stefania SIVERO ¹ ✉

¹ Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; ² Department of Advanced Biomedical Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlations between the perception of postoperative quality of life and gender.
METHODS: The questionnaires “The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire” (B-IPQ) and “Voice Handicap Index” (VHI) were administered to 94 patients divided into two groups according to gender group A: 73 men, group B: 21 women.
RESULTS: The results showed that gender should be considered a factor influencing perceived quality of life in laryngectomized patients. Specifically, women showed greater concern towards the disease, its evolution, and the consequences on their lives, compared to men.
CONCLUSIONS: The care of the laryngectomized woman should consider the impact that loss of voice has on the perception of her femininity, and the physical, functional, and above all emotional issues that such surgeries may lead to for women.

KEY WORDS: Neoplasms; Laryngectomy; Quality of life; Gender identity