Endocrine Abstracts

Adults with brain tumours experience changes in multiple aspects of quality of life and this is associated with their medical condition and its treatment. There is some evidence to suggest that the mode of treatment is also a significant factor in the development of affective symptomatology. The primary aim is to explore within our cohort of patients treated for pituitary tumours, whether there are significant differences in multiple domains of quality of life and the severity of affective symptomatology between individuals, in relation to endocrine pathology and treatment variables.
Detailed assessment of quality of life and affective symptomatology experienced by 140 patients with benign pituitary tumours (including macroprolactinomas), treated over the last ten years at our centre, has been carried out. This included a case-note review to ascertain the type of treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, pharmacological) and medical outcome for each patient with quantification of any ongoing endocrine intervention.
Psychological rating scales have been sent to the patients and their nearest relative for completion (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-UK, World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue, General Health Questionnaire-28 and Social Adjustment Scale). These scales include psychological, physical, social, occupational and relationship aspects for quality of life. Comparison in these measures will be made between different patient treatment groups using validated normative data.
This audit is providing essential information for refining and formalising the holistic service required for pituitary tumour patients both at intermediate and long-term follow up. We expect it to inform clinicians of issues relating to the quality of life in patients who have undergone treatment for pituitary tumours and to inform service development for future management of such patients.