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Self-perception of cognitive function among patients with active acromegaly, controlled acromegaly, and non-functional pituitary adenoma: a pilot study

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Abstract

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) represent 15 % of all brain tumors. One-sixth of these are reported to cause acromegaly via excess growth hormone secretion. These tumors have been associated with multiple comorbidities, including neuropsychiatric and cognitive dysfunction. We aimed to assess patient perception of cognitive deficits and the relationship of cognitive changes to active acromegaly (AA) versus controlled acromegaly (CA) versus non-functional PAs (NFPA). A modified FACT-Cog survey was used, which focused on the prevalence and severity of perceived dysfunction in five areas of cognitive function: ability to learn, concentration/distractibility, mental agility, memory and recall, and verbal recall. Patient perception of current health and health change over the previous 12 months was also assessed. The overall perceived prevalence and severity of cognitive dysfunction were the highest among NFPA groups, particularly in the areas of mental agility, verbal recall, and memory/recall. Patients with AA reported greater prevalence and severity of dysfunction with respect to concentration/distractibility and ability to learn. Patients with AA reported the best overall current health, though patients with CA reported the greatest improvement in health over the previous year. These findings may indicate that PAs can affect cognitive function regardless of whether excess growth hormone is present. Acromegaly and NFPA patients perceive specific areas of cognitive dysfunction that may require further evaluation and treatment. Further research may be useful regarding patient quality of life, patient functionality during normal daily activities, and perceived dysfunction despite biological disease control.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Lois Prozorovsky (Mudskipper Inc.) for editorial assistance, which was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The authors also thank Shirley McCartney, Ph.D., and Andy Rekito, M.S. (Oregon Health & Science University) for editorial and graphics assistance, respectively.

Conflict of interest

All of the authors meet criteria for authorship as recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) are fully responsible for all content and editorial decisions and were involved at all stages of manuscript development.

Funding

CY and MF have received funding to Oregon Health & Science University, for clinical research and honoraria from Ipen, Novartis, and Chiasma Pharmaceutical Companies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. OHSU Northwest Pituitary Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd BTE472, Portland, OR, USA

    Chris G. Yedinak & Maria Fleseriu

  2. Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd BTE472, Portland, OR, USA

    Maria Fleseriu

  3. Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd BTE472, Portland, OR, USA

    Chris G. Yedinak & Maria Fleseriu

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  1. Chris G. Yedinak
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Correspondence to Chris G. Yedinak.

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Yedinak, C.G., Fleseriu, M. Self-perception of cognitive function among patients with active acromegaly, controlled acromegaly, and non-functional pituitary adenoma: a pilot study. Endocrine 46, 585–593 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-013-0106-9

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