gms | German Medical Science

Objective: The question whether elective meningioma surgery should be performed in patients at higher ages is complex. The expected health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for these patients is a crucial point. In this study we evaluated the hypothesis that health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly patients after meningioma surgery is worse compared to younger patients.

Method: We prospectively analyzed the health related quality of life of 133 patients older than 55 years that underwent meningioma resection in our department between 2004 and 2010. The patients were subdivided into six age groups. Patients underwent an SF36 questionaire. Data were compared to the commercially available data representing the general population.

Results: The average patient age was 67.3 ± 7.4 years (range 55 - 84 years of age). The female to male ratio was 83:50. The average time interval between surgery and the interview was 3.8 years (± 2.5 years). We found significantly lower percentage levels of physical function, vitality, social role function, mental health, general health perception and significantly higher levels of pain when comparing the age group “75 to 79 years” to the age group “55 to 59 years”. The physical component summary showed a steady and stepwise decline of percentage levels from younger to older patients resulting in significant differences (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Our hypothesis was confirmed showing that meningioma resection affects long-term quality of life significantly more at a higher age. This is a critical issue in advising and decision making.