Evaluation of the quality of life of patients with a Chiari type I malformation. A pilot study in a cohort of 67 patients

Introduction. The Chiari type I malformation (CM-I) is a low prevalence disorder whose manifestations vary highly, depending on the associated malformative complex. The people with a CM-I can suffer anxiety, depression symptoms and an undefined loss of quality of life. The main purpose of this study is to establish the impact of CM-I on quality of life, as well as the presence of anxiety and depression in these patients. Patients and methods. Prospective study of a cohort of 67 patients suffering from CM-I who undergo an evaluation by means of the SIP scale (Sickness Impact Profile), STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and BDI (Beck's Depression Inventory) of their quality of life and of the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms respectively. For every patient the degree of cerebellar tonsillar ectopia and the presence of syringomyelia and/or hydrocephalus were registered. Results. The impact of the CM-I on the quality of life was none for 6 patients (9%), mild for 36 (53.7%), moderate for 17 (25.4%) and severe for 8 (11.9%). The most affected area of activity was work. A total of 86.6% of the patients presented a moderate or high anxiety level. In 25.4% of the patients moderate or severe depressive symptoms were also acknowledged. Conclusions. The great majority of patients with a CM-I consider that their disorder implies a loss of their quality of life which, in many cases, is associated with high anxiety and depressive symptoms.