Opredelitev povezanosti kakovosti življenja bolnikov z akromegalijo z biokemičnimi in kliničnimi značilnostmi njihove bolezni
Assessing the correlation between health-related quality of life in acromegaly patients and biochemical and clinical characteristics of their condition

slovenian

2024

volume 93, issue 7/8

Slovensko zdravniško društvo
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background: The gap between the treatment goals for acromegaly as defined by clinicians and patients has contributed to developing new tools for a standardized assessment of disease control status. Through our research, we aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of two new comprehensive assessment tools for acromegaly: the SAGIT Instrument and the AcroQoL questionnaire. Additionally, we examined the correlation between the subscores, the overall score, and traditional treatment goals. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 72 patients diagnosed and treated between 2000 and 2020. The SAGIT score at diagnosis before treatment was determined retrospectively. During follow-up, we determined the SAGIT score again and invited patients to complete the AcroQoL questionnaire. Results: All SAGIT subscores decreased significantly from diagnosis to the last examination. SAGIT at baseline did not discriminate against the current disease control status. However, higher global score and a subscore »T« at diagnosis were associated with uncontrolled disease after the first-line treatment. The total SAGIT score at the follow-up and its subscores »G« and »I« were able to discriminate between patients with cured/pharmacologically controlled and untreated disease. At follow-up, the AcroQoL score was 69.3, with the highest score in the »Personal relations subscale« and the most affected »Physical scale«. Both at diagnosis and follow-up, there were significant negative correlations between »S« and »A« subscores of the SAGIT score and AcroQoL. Higher BMI, presence of soft tissue swelling, joint symptoms, headaches, sleep apnea, and hypertension were associated with impaired quality of life of our patients. Conclusion: We confirmed the complementary role of the SAGIT score and the AcroQoL questionnaire and identified new potential treatment targets that could improve the quality of life of acromegaly patients.

21.04.2025