Breast reduction surgery has been linked to measurable improvements in several important areas of both physical health and quality of life, according to a new paper.

The study used the BREAST-Q© questionnaire, a well-validated survey instrument, to document the physical and psychosocial health benefits of breast reduction surgery. "The improvement in physical well-being is important for justification of insurance coverage," according to Dr. Michelle Coriddi and colleagues of Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University.

The study was designed to evaluate and confirm the benefits of breast reduction surgery—one of the most commonly performed breast plastic surgery procedures. Previous studies have found it highly effective in relieving symptoms related to overly large breasts.

The BREAST-Q was used to obtain a more complete picture of the clinical outcomes and is "the only questionnaire to assess breast reduction outcomes that meets international and federal standards for questionnaire development," according to the authors.

In a series of 49 patients undergoing breast reduction, 78 percent anonymously completed the BREAST-Q before and/or after surgery. Changes in patient-reported satisfaction and quality of life after breast reduction were assessed.

The results showed significant improvement in all four areas evaluated on both the before and after questionnaires: satisfaction with the appearance of the breasts and psychosocial, sexual and physical well-being. On a 100-point scale, satisfaction with breast appearance increased from about 20 before surgery to more than 80 afterward.

There were also large improvements in scores for psychosocial well-being: from 41 to 84, sexual well-being: from 40 to 78, and physical well-being: from 43 to 81. As reported in previous studies, the procedure relieved pain in the breast, neck, back and shoulders.

Patient demographics. Credit and link: doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31829587b5

BREAST-Q Helps Meet Need for Evidence-Based Outcomes Data

Satisfaction with breast appearance was most strongly related to satisfaction with the overall outcome. In addition to reducing pain, breast reduction led to significant improvements in sleep and ability to exercise.

The new paper says it is important confirmation that breast reduction leads to improvements in physical and psychosocial well-being. "The improvement in physical activity, decrease in costly chronic medical complaints and improvement in overall quality of life indicated by this survey study validates insurance coverage for this procedure," the researchers write.

Coriddi and colleagues note that the benefits of breast reduction are seen shortly after surgery, as little as six weeks. Improvements also occur after relatively small reductions in breast size—which argues against arbitrary insurance coverage guidelines for the amount of tissue removed.

The researchers plan further studies using the BREAST-Q to assess breast reduction outcomes, including more patients and long-term follow-up.

Citation: Coriddi, M.; Angelos, T.; Nadeau, M.; Bennett, M.; Taylor, A., 'Analysis of Satisfaction and Well-Being Following Breast Augmentation Using a Validated Survey Instrument: The BREAST-Q', Plastic&Reconstructive Surgery. August 2013 - Volume 132 - Issue 2 - p 285–290
doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31829587b5