gms | German Medical Science

73. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC)
Joint Meeting mit der Griechischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

29.05. - 01.06.2022, Köln

Assessment of psychological distress in patients with sellar processes

Psychologische Belastung der Patienten mit sellären Raumforderungen

Meeting Abstract

  • presenting/speaker Darius Kalasauskas - Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, Deutschland
  • Andreas Ernst - Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, Deutschland
  • Sydney Mireri - Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, Deutschland
  • Wael Omran - Endocrinological Medical Office Dr. Wael Omran, Mainz, Deutschland
  • Christian Wüster - Hormone & Metabolism Centre Prof. Christian Wüster, Mainz, Deutschland
  • Florian Ringel - Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, Deutschland
  • Jens Conrad - Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Mainz, Deutschland

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 73. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), Joint Meeting mit der Griechischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Köln, 29.05.-01.06.2022. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2022. DocP064

doi: 10.3205/22dgnc375, urn:nbn:de:0183-22dgnc3756

Published: May 25, 2022

© 2022 Kalasauskas et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

Text

Objective: The association of pituitary tumors and psychological symptoms is longstanding. The management strategy might have a significant impact on psychological burden, even if no meaningful alternative for suggested treatment is present. The aim of this ongoing study was to evaluate and compare the level of distress and quality of life in patients after resection of pituitary tumors and non-surgical treatment.

Methods: We performed a prospective study and included patients after surgical treatment with good functional neurological outcome and patients under conservative treatment (i.e. prolactinomas under cabergoline treatment or patients not being treated). Recruitment took place in a tertiary neurosurgical center and two endocrinological medical offices. Sociodemographic, clinical, and health-related quality of life and clinical data were assessed. Psychosocial factors were measured by the Distress Thermometer (DT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form (SF-36) and Sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT).

Results: So far, 39 patients were included into the study (n=23 operative, n=16 conservative), mean age 51 years (SD=18), 62% female. Most common tumors were null cell adenomas (38%), followed by prolactinomas (28%). Cushing disease made up 8% of tumors, entity was unknown in 13% of cases. Mean HADS scores were similar to the normative values in German population. The percentages of elevated anxiety and depression were 21% and 16% respectively. Mean DT score was 4.8 (SD=2.7), and higher than the normative values, 41% of patients reported significant distress. The most common problems were fatigue, sleep disturbances and worries. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups. SNOT score was higher in postoperative group but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: Preliminary results do not show differences in psychological distress between conservatively and operatively managed patients with sellar processes. However, further assessment is necessary to identify the patients in need of psychooncological support.