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Previous radiotherapy negatively influences quality of life during 4 years of follow‐up in patients cured from acromegaly
Author(s) -
Van Der Klaauw Agatha A.,
Biermasz Nienke R.,
Hoftijzer Hendrieke C.,
Pereira Alberto M.,
Romijn Johannes A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03169.x
Subject(s) - nottingham health profile , acromegaly , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , anxiety , hospital anxiety and depression scale , depression (economics) , cohort , longitudinal study , prospective cohort study , physical therapy , psychiatry , pathology , growth hormone , alternative medicine , nursing , hormone , economics , macroeconomics
Summary Objective Cross‐sectional studies have shown impaired quality of life (QoL) in patients in biochemical control of acromegaly. The aim of this study was to assess longitudinal changes in QoL in a homogenous cohort of patients with sustained biochemical control of acromegaly. Design Prospective follow‐up study. Patients and methods QoL was assessed using four health‐related QoL questionnaires (HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; MFI‐20, Multidimensional Fatigue Index; NHP, Nottingham Health Profile; and SF‐36, Short Form‐36) and one disease‐specific acromegaly quality of life (ACRO‐QOL) questionnaire in 82 patients (43 men) with strict biochemical control of acromegaly, aged 56 years (range 29–84 years) at baseline and after 4 years of follow‐up. The mean duration of controlled disease was 12 years (range 1–26 years). Results During follow‐up, scores in 5 of 26 QoL subscales significantly worsened: physical and social functioning (SF‐36), physical fatigue (MFI‐20), and psychological well‐being and personal relations (ACRO‐QOL). Using linear regression analysis, baseline item scores predicted the follow‐up scores, indicating individual stability over time. Previous radiotherapy ( n = 27, 33%) negatively influenced several QoL subscales at follow‐up: energy, pain and social isolation (NHP), physical fatigue and reduction in activity and motivation (MFI‐20), depression and total anxiety and depression scores (HADS) and physical performance (ACRO‐QOL). Conclusion During 4 years of follow‐up in patients with long‐term biochemical control of ACRO‐QOL is subtly, but progressively impaired. Radiotherapy was the predominant indicator of progressive impairment in QoL.