Health-related quality of life and radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients: a before-and-after study

Objective Thyroid cancers are on the rise, but the associated vital prognosis and long-term survival rates are very good. Therefore, treated patients’ quality of life and psychological well-being are important considerations. The treatment usually involves surgery and radioactive iodine (radioiodine) ablation. This study aims to investigate potential effects of radioiodine ablation therapy on health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, and nutritional status at 6 months post-therapy. Methods This study included 136 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Absorbed doses to the salivary glands were estimated from dosimeters worn by patients. Patient health-related quality of life, psychological status and nutritional status were assessed before and 6 months after therapy using standardized questionnaires (including SF-36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale). Statistical analyses included random-effects logistic and linear regressions adjusted for potential confounders. Results While no significant association was found between radioiodine exposure and anxiety or depression symptoms, or nutritional status, a significant increase in the SF-36 role physical sub- score was observed in relation with the salivary gland dose (β= 6.54, 95%CI 2.71;10.36 for a 1-Gy increase). Conclusions The findings suggest an improved physical health-related quality of life, namely reduced pain and functional impairment, 6 months after radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer patients. No significant association was found between radioiodine exposure and mental health-related quality of life, anxiety or depression scores nor nutritional status. This study does not provide any evidence that radioiodine therapy has a potentially adverse effect on patient health-related quality of life.