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Turkish BRASS questionnaire shows high responsiveness in patients after breast reduction

Researchers observed significant improvements in health-related quality of life after breast reduction in a population of women with macromastia, with excellent responsiveness and accuracy demonstrated by the Breast Reduction Assessed Severity Scale.

Ninety-four patients with breast hypertrophy who underwent breast reduction were administered the Turkish versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Breast Reduction Assessed Severity Scale (BRASS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale preoperatively and at 4 months postoperatively. Seventy-eight patients completed the questionnaires both pre- and postoperatively.

The researchers evaluated response differences using paired t-test and through the comparison of change effect sizes. Quality-of-life (QoL) improvements in response to adjustments from baseline differences were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.

Results showed significant improvements in postoperative self-esteem on the Rosenberg Scale and in all domains of the BRASS, according to the researchers.

Mean preoperative SF-36 scores were significantly lower regarding the physical health component summary score and physical functioning, social functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain and energy and vitality. Although postoperative SF-36 scores improved significantly and were comparable to normative values for physical function, social functioning role limitation due to physical problems and energy and vitality, scores for bodily pain remained less than a normative population, according to the researchers.

The researchers concluded that the Turkish BRASS is a valid and comprehensive questionnaire specific to hypertrophy, including a domain on bodily pain that the BREAST-Q lacks. – by Abigail Sutton

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.