Patients Decision-Making Characteristics Affects Gynecomastia Treatment Satisfaction: A Multicenter Study Using the BODY-Q Chest Module.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is the most critical outcome in gynecomastia treatment. However, patient satisfaction may be affected by the patient's decision-making trait, such as exhaustively searching for the best outcome or being content with an outcome that satisfies a preconceived requirement. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patient's decision-making characteristic affect their satisfaction with gynecomastia treatment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including patients treated for gynecomastia between January 2009 and December 2019 at two tertiary hospitals in Denmark. Alive patients were sent the BODY-Q Chest module, the SF-36 questionnaire, and the Maximizer/Satisficer decision-making survey. Patients were classified as Maximizers if they scored more than 40 points on the Maximizer/Satisficer survey. Percentage score differences (PDs) in quality of life scales were calculated between Maximizers and Satisficers. RESULTS: In total, 192 gynecomastia patients were included in this study and classified as Maximizers (n = 152) or Satisficers (n = 40). Maximizers were younger and more had gynecomastia following abuse of anabolic steroids than Satisficers (p < 0.05). With respect to bodily satisfaction, Maximizers showed significantly worse satisfaction with nipples (PDs - 12.98%), psychological function (PDs - 13.68%) and social function (PDs - 8.77%, p < 0.05). In addition, Maximizers had significantly worse emotional role functioning (- 11.03%), vitality (PDs - 11.72%) and mental health (PDs - 10.00%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients exhibiting maximizing-type decision-making characteristics have worse satisfaction with gynecomastia treatment and poorer psychosocial health. This information may facilitate patient counseling and alignment of treatment expectations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .