Improving Quality of Life in Patients with Pituitary Tumours

Touch Endocrinology published an article about the Quality of Life for pituitary patients. We have included part of the information here, to read the full article click here

Improving Quality of Life in Patients with Pituitary Tumours

Iris Crespo, Alicia Santos, Eugenia Resmini, Elena Valassi, Maria Antonia Martínez-Momblán, Susan M Webb
US Endocrinology, 2014;10(1):79–83

Abstract: Evaluation of health-related quality of life (QoL) in people with pituitary tumours has received much attention over the last 10–15 years. Most of them show impaired QoL, but little is known about how to prevent impairment or how to improve QoL. Our aim is to review what is known about QoL in pituitary tumours patients and to highlight the areas worth improving, for the patient's well being. The article has four sections: acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, prolactinomas and non-functioning adenomas. Control of comorbidities is usually an important factor to prevent QoL impairment; however, each disease has specific characteristics that should be properly addressed in order to obtain full patient recovery after successful therapy.

 Keywords: Quality of life, acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome, prolactinomas, non-functioning adenomas, pituitary tumours

Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Received: January 10, 2013 Accepted January 29, 2013 Citation US Endocrinology, 2014;10(1):79–83
Correspondence: Susan M Webb, Department of Endocrinology, Hospital de Sant Pau, C. S. Antoni Maria Claret n.167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain. E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pituitary tumours are associated with pituitary dysfunction, either hypersecretion (mainly prolactinomas, acromegaly or Cushing's disease [CD]) or hypopituitarism, due to compression or destruction of normal pituitary cells. They may also cause headache or visual disturbances due to pressure on surrounding structures.

Health-related quality of life (QoL) is a concept that refers to individual wellbeing. It is based on how a particular individual feels, responds and functions in daily life. Subjects will value their QoL, taking into account their expectations, standards and goals, as well as the emotional, physical and social aspects of their lives, which may be affected if a disease is present.1

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