Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Improvement of health related quality of life (QoL) is one of the main goals defined by the WHO and besides reduction of mortality and morbidity an important objective for health outcomes. In chronic endocrine diseases, QoL often remains impaired despite cure or remission of the disease. In quantitative analyses, factors such as age, gender, BMI and depression, are associated with reduced QoL. However, aspects of social interaction and more complex individual concepts are difficult to obtain from classical quantitative research.

Therefore we performed a qualitative social research analysis based on a focus group discussion according to a predefined protocol which had been reviewed by an endocrinologist, a sociologist and an epidemiologist.

The aim of this project was to identify possible modifiable factors influencing patients’ QoL in order to provide preventative strategies for improving patient management and long-term health outcome.

Results: Patients with chronic endocrine diseases were invited through a local support group. Patients (n=18) were divided into two groups, each chaired by two persons (one medical doctor and certified sociologist). Mean age of participating women (n=11) was 52.7 years whereas mean age of men (n=7) was 55 years. Results from the discussion are categorized according to a) areas of health-related quality of life that are influenced, b) how patients were able to modify them and c) which interventions were tested.