Evaluation of the quality of life in patients with meningiomas of the craniovertebral junction using a developed questionnaire in a neurosurgical clinic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A validated tool for assessing the quality of life specific to a particular disease has not yet been developed. Previous studies only partially investigated the quality of life of patients with craniovertebral junction meningiomas and did not include the entire spectrum of functional disorders in this disease. AIM: To develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the quality of life of patients with craniovertebral junction meningiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective and prospective study of 119 patients with craniovertebral junction meningiomas was conducted before and after surgical and combined (surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiation therapy) treatment using a validated questionnaire developed. RESULTS: A quality of life questionnaire for patients with craniovertebral junction meningiomas was developed and validated. Determining the internal consistency of the scale showed that the Cronbach alpha coefficient was α=0.78 (p 0.001), confirming its sufficient level. In analyzing the sensitivity of the questionnaire, the estimates before and after surgery did not differ significantly (p=0.62, t-criterion). CONCLUSIONS: This study developed the first quality of life questionnaire worldwide for patients with craniovertebral junction meningiomas. In summary, this questionnaire is not able to reflect the dynamics of the quality of life.