Merel van der Meulen1, Amir H Zamanipoor Najafabadi2,3, Daniel J Lobatto2,3, Wilbert B van den Hout4, Cornelie D Andela2, Ingrid M Zandbergen2, Alberto M Pereira2, Wouter R van Furth3, Thea P M Vliet Vlieland5, Nienke R Biermasz2. 1. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Pituitary Center and Center for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. m.vandermeulen@lumc.nl. 2. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Pituitary Center and Center for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. 3. University Neurosurgical Centre Holland, Leiden University Medical Centre, Haaglanden Medical Centre and Haga Teaching Hospital, Leiden, The Hague, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Medical Decision Making & Quality of Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Prolactinomas are the most prevalent functioning pituitary adenomas. They affect gonadal function as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to report healthcare utilization and costs, including their determinants, for prolactinoma patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 116 adult prolactinoma patients in chronic care in a Dutch tertiary referral center. Patients completed four validated questionnaires, assessing healthcare utilization and costs over the previous 12 months (Medical Consumption Questionnaire), disease bother and needs (Leiden Bother and Needs Questionnaire Pituitary), HRQoL (Short Form-36), and self-reported health status (EuroQol 5D). Regression analyses were used to assess associations between disease-related characteristics and healthcare utilization and costs. RESULTS: Mean age was 52.0 years (SD 13.7) and median follow-up was 15.0 years (IQR 7.6-26.1). Patients visited the endocrinologist (86.2%), general practitioner (37.9%), and ophthalmologist (25.0%) most frequently. Psychological care was used by 12.9% of patients and 5% were admitted to hospital. Mean annual healthcare costs were €1928 (SD 3319), mainly for pituitary-specific medication (37.6% of total costs), hospitalization (19.4%) and specialist care (16.1%). Determinants for higher healthcare utilization and costs were greater disease bother and needs for support, lower HRQoL, elevated prolactin, and longer disease duration, while tumor size, hypopituitarism and adrenal insufficiency were not significantly associated with healthcare utilization and costs. CONCLUSION: Healthcare utilization and costs of prolactinoma patients are related to patient-reported HRQoL, bother by disease and needs for support. Therefore, addressing patients' HRQoL and needs is a way forward to improve efficiency of care and patients' health status.
PURPOSE:Prolactinomas are the most prevalent functioning pituitary adenomas. They affect gonadal function as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to report healthcare utilization and costs, including their determinants, for prolactinomapatients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 116 adult prolactinomapatients in chronic care in a Dutch tertiary referral center. Patients completed four validated questionnaires, assessing healthcare utilization and costs over the previous 12 months (Medical Consumption Questionnaire), disease bother and needs (Leiden Bother and Needs Questionnaire Pituitary), HRQoL (Short Form-36), and self-reported health status (EuroQol 5D). Regression analyses were used to assess associations between disease-related characteristics and healthcare utilization and costs. RESULTS: Mean age was 52.0 years (SD 13.7) and median follow-up was 15.0 years (IQR 7.6-26.1). Patients visited the endocrinologist (86.2%), general practitioner (37.9%), and ophthalmologist (25.0%) most frequently. Psychological care was used by 12.9% of patients and 5% were admitted to hospital. Mean annual healthcare costs were €1928 (SD 3319), mainly for pituitary-specific medication (37.6% of total costs), hospitalization (19.4%) and specialist care (16.1%). Determinants for higher healthcare utilization and costs were greater disease bother and needs for support, lower HRQoL, elevated prolactin, and longer disease duration, while tumor size, hypopituitarism and adrenal insufficiency were not significantly associated with healthcare utilization and costs. CONCLUSION: Healthcare utilization and costs of prolactinomapatients are related to patient-reported HRQoL, bother by disease and needs for support. Therefore, addressing patients' HRQoL and needs is a way forward to improve efficiency of care and patients' health status.
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