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DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8144
© Johann Ambrosius Barth
Emotional disorders in patients with different types of pituitary adenomas and factors affecting the diagnostic process
Publikationsverlauf
Submitted November 9, 1999
ccepted May 5, 2000
Publikationsdatum:
31. Dezember 2000 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/eced/200007/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-2000-8144-1.jpg)
Summary:
A prospective study of 48 patients with pituitary adenomas, 19 adenomas causing Cushing's disease, 18 adenomas causing acromegaly, and 11 clinically hormone-inactive adenomas (inactive adenomas), was performed to study emotional disorders occurring before and after transsphenoidal microsurgery. Factors which led to an obvious delay in the diagnostic process were identified. - The tools utilised were an interview and repeated personality assessments. The personality assessments were begun preoperatively and continued for about half a year postoperatively. The interview data, including retrospective statements regarding somatic difficulties, was analysed. - The thesis of a uniform psychopathology due to the influence of elevated hormone levels, and a lack in patients' sensitivity towards their changed appearance in acromegaly could not be confirmed. A high variability of reported emotional problems was found. The most common psychopathological signs for Cushing's disease were excitability and depression, for acromegaly fatigue/loss of energy was the most frequent complaint. Six to eight months postoperatively, a majority of patients noticed an increase of physical well-being. In acromegaly, the time span between first consultation and diagnosis averaged 6.2 years, in Cushing's disease it was 4.3 years, and in inactive adenomas it was 3.9 years. Only a small part of the delay in diagnosis, less than two years, could be attributed to the patients' hesitation to consult a physician.
Key words:
Acromegaly - Cushing's disease - diagnosis - psychology - pituitary adenomas
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Dr. J. Flitsch
Neurochirurgische Klinik/Bereich Hypophysenchirurgie
Universität Hamburg
c/o Dr. D. K. Lüdecke
Martinistr. 52
D-20246 Hamburg
Germany
Telefon: + 49-40-4 28 03-27 65
Fax: + 49-40-4 28 03-59 82
eMail: flitsch@uke.uni-hamburg.de