Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Stefan Nilsson, University of Gothenburg,
- Second opponent: Associate professor Martin Salö, Lund University,
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor Hilde Wøien, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Associate Professor Lisbeth Thoresen, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Researcher Anne Wæhre, OUS - Oslo University Hospital
Summary
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) reflects an individual's functional status and perceived well-being across physical, mental, and social dimensions. In hypospadias—a penile congenital condition affecting about 1 in 300 boys—our understanding of HRQoL, especially among adolescents, is limited. Most research has focused on isolated HRQoL aspects rather than its multidimensional nature. Hypospadias surgery is mainly carried out in early childhood. Complications are common and often require multiple surgeries. Surgery for hypospadias in early childhood can impact adolescents’ quality of life, particularly in terms of sexual well-being, body image and mental health.
This thesis aims to enhance knowledge of HRQoL in 16-year-old boys who have undergone hypospadias surgery. A cross-sectional study compared self-reported HRQoL among these boys with a healthy comparison group, collecting data from electronic medical records, validated questionnaires, and structured interviews at an outpatient clinic between March 2019 and March 2021. Healthy adolescents were recruited from schools in southeastern Norway.
This study highlights positive results across most of the examined variables and can conclude that the patients experience good, expanded health-related quality of life. However, some individuals face challenges. More patients were classified as having mental health issues or being at risk for mental problems than in the healthy group. Additionally, patients with proximal hypospadias report lower satisfaction with the appearance of their penis and sexual well-being.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that adolescents after hypospadias surgery report positive HRQoL outcomes overall. However, the increased mental health issues and specific challenges faced by the proximal group highlight the importance of follow-up after puberty. Additionally, comprehensive HRQoL assessments could help us identify individuals at risk and improve care strategies.
Additional information
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