TY - JOUR
T1 - The Impact of Hydrocephalus Shunt Devices on Quality of Life
AU - Mitchell, Kerry Ann S.
AU - Zelko, Ian
AU - Shay, Tamir
AU - Horen, Sydney
AU - Williams, Ally
AU - Luciano, Mark
AU - Huang, Judy
AU - Brem, Henry
AU - Gordon, Chad R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/7/1
Y1 - 2021/7/1
N2 - Background:Despite advances in hydrocephalus shunt technology and improvement in hydrocephalus management, many patients have chronic disability and require multiple surgeries throughout their lifetime. There is limited data from patients' perspective regarding the impact of shunt devices on quality-of-life.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was developed to evaluate the impact of shunt devices on patient quality-of-life. The survey was distributed via social media platforms of the Hydrocephalus Association, and patients self-selected to anonymously complete the online questionnaire. A literature review was performed to contextualize the findings from the survey.Results:A total of 562 survey responses were obtained from a network encompassing 35,000 members. The mean age was 30 years old (0.5-87), and 65% identified as female. Eighty one percent underwent at least 1 shunt revision surgery, with a reported average of 10 shunt revision surgeries per patient (1-200 surgeries). Occlusion, shunt migration and infection were the leading causes for revision at 60%, 47%, and 35%, respectively. In addition, 72% of patients reported pain and discomfort from the device, and 68% expressed avoidance of certain activities due to "fear of bumping shunt." Despite numerous articles discussing shunt technology, a review of the literature indicated a paucity of studies specifically evaluating the burden of shunt devices from a patient/caregiver perspective.Conclusions:The findings from this study suggest long-Term physical and psychosocial burden associated with shunt devices. Importantly, this study highlights the need for concerted efforts to develop validated tools to study patient reported outcomes as it relates to neurocranial implanted devices.
AB - Background:Despite advances in hydrocephalus shunt technology and improvement in hydrocephalus management, many patients have chronic disability and require multiple surgeries throughout their lifetime. There is limited data from patients' perspective regarding the impact of shunt devices on quality-of-life.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was developed to evaluate the impact of shunt devices on patient quality-of-life. The survey was distributed via social media platforms of the Hydrocephalus Association, and patients self-selected to anonymously complete the online questionnaire. A literature review was performed to contextualize the findings from the survey.Results:A total of 562 survey responses were obtained from a network encompassing 35,000 members. The mean age was 30 years old (0.5-87), and 65% identified as female. Eighty one percent underwent at least 1 shunt revision surgery, with a reported average of 10 shunt revision surgeries per patient (1-200 surgeries). Occlusion, shunt migration and infection were the leading causes for revision at 60%, 47%, and 35%, respectively. In addition, 72% of patients reported pain and discomfort from the device, and 68% expressed avoidance of certain activities due to "fear of bumping shunt." Despite numerous articles discussing shunt technology, a review of the literature indicated a paucity of studies specifically evaluating the burden of shunt devices from a patient/caregiver perspective.Conclusions:The findings from this study suggest long-Term physical and psychosocial burden associated with shunt devices. Importantly, this study highlights the need for concerted efforts to develop validated tools to study patient reported outcomes as it relates to neurocranial implanted devices.
KW - Burden
KW - devices
KW - hydrocephalus
KW - neurotechnology
KW - quality of life
KW - shunt
KW - ventriculoperitoneal
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U2 - 10.1097/SCS.0000000000007579
DO - 10.1097/SCS.0000000000007579
M3 - Article
C2 - 34319679
AN - SCOPUS:85112687760
SN - 1049-2275
VL - 32
SP - 1746
EP - 1750
JO - Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
JF - Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
IS - 5
ER -