Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: To assess the quality of life of patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenomas (NFPA) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Materials and methods: Eighteen GHD patients with non-functional pituitary adenomas (NFPA), (12 F/6 M), aged 35.5±14.4 yr (mean±SD; range 23–58), body mass index (BMI) 28.6±0.6, with a history of adult-onset hypothalamic-pituitary disease, were recruited for the study. The examination included hormonal assessment (level of hormones, such as, prolactin, STH, LH, FSH, TTH, cortisol, T₃, T₄ and others), testing of GHD by insulin (ITT), perimetry, assessment of neurological status, clinical ultrasound of the thyroid and the genitals, investigation of psychological well-being and Quality of Life of adults with GHD (QoLAGHD). Complex roentgenologic examination of the sellar area by means of computer (CT) and magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) was performed in all patients.

Results: Using the ITT as our ‘gold standard’ with a GH response of 6.3 mU/L as our cut-off to define GHD. Endosellar macroadenomas up to 20 mm in diameter were found in 6 patients, 12 persons having large adenomas up to 40 mm in diameter with sellar growth.

Hormonal disorders in 16 persons (88.8%) with hypopituitarism being found in 14 (77.7%). General brain symptoms were present in 15 patients (83.3%). Hypopituitarism, that is, reduction in the levels of pituitary tropic hormones, such as, STH, LH and FSH was found in 77%, large pituitary tumors with supra-, para- and infrasellar growth being registered in the patients.

The investigation by questionnaire by QoLAGHD showed, that mean range data achieved 8.7±0.2.

Conclusions: parallel to decrease in other pituitary hormones STH level reduction is typical of patients with non-functional pituitary tumors; 2) patients with NFPA need in control of pituitary hormone levels, MRI/CT and evaluation of Quality of Life by investigation of psychological well-being.