WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For women undergoing percutaneous breast biopsy procedures, younger age is a significant predictor of decreased short-term quality of life, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in Radiology.
Kathryn L. Humphrey, M.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues surveyed 188 women (mean age, 51.4 years) two to four days after undergoing a percutaneous breast biopsy. The Testing Morbidities Index (TMI), a validated instrument for assessing short-term quality of life related to diagnostic testing, was used to describe the biopsy experience.
The researchers found that the mean TMI score was 82. Age and race were significant predictors of the TMI score (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis. The only significant independent predictor in multivariate analysis was patient age (P = 0.001). For every decade decrease in patient age, TMI scores decreased by approximately three points.
"Younger patient age is a significant predictor of decreased short-term quality of life related to percutaneous breast biopsy procedures," the authors conclude. "Tailored prebiopsy counseling may better prepare women for percutaneous biopsy procedures and improve their experience."
One author disclosed financial ties to the medical device industry.
Abstract
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