Quality of Life and Sleep in Patients with Pituitary Adenoma in Relation to Tumor Type and Compression of the Optic Chiasm.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of transsphenoidal surgery on quality of life and sleep in patients with pituitary adenomas depending on tumor type and compression of the optic chiasm.

METHODS

In this prospective study, patients with pituitary adenomas who were scheduled for transsphenoidal surgery completed the Short Form 36 Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale preoperatively and 7.5 (±1.5) months after surgery. Patients were analyzed based on tumor type and compression of the optic chiasm.

RESULTS

Significant improvements with large effect sizes were seen for patients with Cushing's disease in general health (Z = -2.37; p = 0.018), vitality (Z = -2.05; p = 0.041), and mental health (Z = -2.06; p = 0.040). A significant deterioration with large effect size occurred in physical functioning (Z = -2.02; p = 0.043) in patients with acromegaly. A significant improvement with medium effect size was seen in subjective sleep quality, (Z = -2.24; p = 0.025), sleep duration (Z = -2.11; p = 0.035), and habitual sleep efficiency (Z = -2.26; p = 0.024) after decompression of the optic chiasm. Multiple significant correlations were observed between sleep parameters and Short Form 36 subscales before and after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in quality of life during the follow-up period depend on tumor type. Circadian rhythm disturbances may resolve promptly after decompression of the optic chiasm. Quality of life in pituitary adenoma patients is associated with quality of sleep in many dimensions, thus implying that developing strategies to improve sleep quality could increase overall well-being and everyday functioning in pituitary adenoma patients.