Work disability and its determinants in patients with pituitary tumor-related disease.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pituitary tumors may have a considerable impact on patients' functional status, including paid employment, yet research in this area is sparse.

Objective

To describe work disability and its determinants in patients treated for a pituitary tumor.

Methods

Cross-sectional study including patients treated for a pituitary tumor in the working age (18-65 years), who completed five validated questionnaires assessing work disability [Short Form-Health and Labour Questionnaire, Work Role Functioning Questionnaire 2.0 (WRFQ)], health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and utility (Short Form-36, EuroQoL) and disease burden (Leiden Bother and Needs Questionnaire-Pituitary). Additional data were extracted from the medical records (age, gender, tumor type, treatment, date of diagnosis) and self-reports (marital status, education, endocrine status). Associations of disease-specific and sociodemographic characteristics, HRQoL, and disease burden with (not) having a paid job were examined through multivariate logistic regression.

Results

We included 241 patients (61% female, median age 53 years, median time since diagnosis 11 years), of whom 68 (28%) were without a paid job. Patients who had acromegaly, Cushing's disease, (pan)hypopituitarism, radiotherapy, were single, less educated, lower HRQoL, and increased disease burden were more often without a paid job (p?ConclusionWork disability among patients treated for a pituitary tumor is substantial. As impact on social functioning is high, it is strongly advised to incorporate work disability during clinical guidance of patients.

SUBMITTER: Lobatto DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6244796 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature