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. 2022 Feb;88(2):260-266.
doi: 10.1177/0003134821989054. Epub 2021 Jan 31.

Chronic Fatigue After Thyroidectomy: A Patient-Centered Survey

Stephanie T Lumpkin  1 , Julia Button  1 , Lee Stratton  2 , Paula D Strassle  1 , Lawrence T Kim  1
Affiliations

Chronic Fatigue After Thyroidectomy: A Patient-Centered Survey

Stephanie T Lumpkin et al. Am Surg. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Fatigue after thyroidectomy is common, but there is a paucity of data regarding its prevalence and duration. We hypothesized that total thyroidectomy (TT) patients would have more long-term fatigue than thyroid lobectomy (TL) patients.

Methods: Statewide survey of thyroidectomy patients (2004-2017) was carried out.

Results: 281 patients completed the survey. 216 respondents (77%) had TT and 65 (23%) had TL. Within one year of surgery, 172 (61%) respondents recalled being troubled by new fatigue all, most, or some of the time. Total thyroidectomy patients were more likely to report new fatigue (69% vs. 44%, aOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.44 to 5.18). Of patients (n = 172) reporting new fatigue, 67 (39%) reported at least moderate improvement. Nineteen (28%) saw improvement within 1 year, 35 (52%) saw improvement in 1-2 years, and 11 (16%) saw improvement after 2 years.

Conclusion: Long-term fatigue after TT can be debilitating, long-lasting, and less prevalent after TL.

Keywords: lobectomy; patient-reported outcomes; thyroid replacement; total thyroidectomy.

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