Evaluating quality of life after endolymphatic sac surgery: The Ménière's Disease Outcomes Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a disease-specific instrument to measure the quality of life in patients with Ménière's disease and to assess quality-of-life outcomes after endolymphatic sac decompression.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective survey.

PATIENTS: Patients with Ménière's disease who underwent endolymphatic sac decompression from June 1996 to June 2001, after failing a course of medical management. Two hundred fifteen potential subjects were identified; completed questionnaires were returned by 159 patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Ménière's Disease Outcomes Questionnaire was developed, and consists of questions in three domains that determine quality of life: physical, emotional, and social well-being. The Ménière's Disease Outcomes Questionnaire consisted of 18 multiple-choice questions that were paired for pre- and postoperative conditions, and one global quality-of-life question. The preoperative quality-of-life score (total score for preoperative items) was compared with the postoperative quality-of-life score. The main outcomes measure was the change in quality-of-life score.

RESULTS: Overall, the mean change in quality-of-life score was +25.6 points (range, -34 to 83) (p < 0.001). The change in Ménière's Disease Outcomes Questionnaire quality-of-life score was highly correlated with the change in the global question score (p < 0.01). Quality of life was improved in 87% of respondents, unchanged in 3% of patients, and poorer in 9% of patients after endolymphatic sac decompression.

CONCLUSIONS: The Ménière's Disease Outcomes Questionnaire is a new disease-specific quality-of-life tool that is a valid measure of quality of life in patients with Ménière's disease, and is responsive to measuring change in quality of life after treatment. Significant improvement in quality of life was reported by 87% of patients after endolymphatic sac decompression.