AN EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH TRACHEOSTOMY

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life in patients with tracheostomy. Methodology: All the patients, who have had tracheostomy operations between 1998-2009 at a University Hospital, Turkey, constitute the population of the study (70 patients). The data have been collected between June -July 2009 by using the Short Form 36 Quality of Life Scale (QoL). Results: It has been determined that the QoL scores of patients, whose life span with tracheostomy is three months to one year, who have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy, have difficulties in breathing and eating are lower in the various sub-dimensions of the QoL scale. Together with this, it has been determined that the scores of patients who can perform their tracheostomy care independently, have no complications, use esophageal speech, whose sense of smell has not been impaired, and state that their physical appearance has not been affected are higher in the various sub-dimensions the Quality of Life (QoL) scale. Conclusions: Tracheostomy has a profoundly negative impact on quality of life.