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

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.