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55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)
1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

25. bis 28.04.2004, Köln

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Evaluation of quality of life and cognitive functions in 31 adult patients with supratentorial low-grade gliomas WHO II prior to therapy

Evaluation von Lebensqualität und kognitiver Funktionsfähigkeit bei 31 erwachsenen Patienten mit supratentoriellen, niedrig-gradigen Gliomen WHO II vor Therapie

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  • corresponding author Maximilian I. Ruge - Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München
  • B. Leroch - Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München
  • C. von Schlippenbach - Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München
  • J. Ilmberger - Arbeitsgruppe Neuropsychologie der Klinik für Physikalische Medizin, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München
  • J.-C. Tonn - Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München
  • F. W. Kreth - Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Großhadern, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Ungarische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), 1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Köln, 25.-28.04.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. DocDI.07.03

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2004/04dgnc0214.shtml

Published: April 23, 2004

© 2004 Ruge et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

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Objective

Adult patients suffering low-grade glioma WHO II usually present without any, or only minimal, neurological deficits during the initial course of their disease. However, it is still unclear how far quality of life, and cognitive functions are affected in these patients prior to treatment. The following prospective study, for the first time examines neurological status, quality of life and cognitive functions as well as the correlation of these measures prior to treatment.

Methods

Patients with on MRI suspected supratentorial low-grade glioma WHO II were included in this prospective study (2001 – 2002). Clinical and neurological findings, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) as well as attention (Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeit) and memory functions (Münchner Verbaler Gedächtnistest) were evaluated. SF 36 Health Survey, IORTC-QLQ-C30 and Beck-Depressions-Inventar were used measuring quality of life.

Results

We included 31 adult patients (mean age: 46,3 years) with supratentorial low-grade astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma WHO II. 1/31 patients showed neurological deficits on exam and the median KPS was 80. Attention deficits were evident in 17/31 patients and 10/31 patients showed impaired memory functions. The SF 36 Health Survey revealed major deficits in 13/31 and minor disturbances in 5/31 cases. Major impairments were found in 15/31 cases and minor in 8/31 Patients performing the IORTC-QLQ-C30.

Conclusions

This study could demonstrate that prior to treatment, a substantial number of patients with low-grade gliomas show severe deficits on cognitive functions and quality of life, while lacking neurological symptoms. Therefore the only evaluation of neurological findings might not be sufficient with regard to the planning of different therapy strategies.