Abstract
Fifty-three adult patients (14 women and 39 men), with a mean age of 23.7 ± 6.1 years (range 18 - 45 yr) with idiopathic hypopituitarism (77% MPHD) diagnosed during childhood and treated with growth hormone for different periods of time, were interviewed. Each of the patients answered a questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine depression status. Men had attained a final heiaht of 154.9 ± 8.7 cm and women 145.8 ± 7.2 cm. Results. Social Aspects, 43 of 53 patients are still livino witn their parents. Only 4 (7.5%) are married and 2 of them have one son each. Fifty per cent have never dated, and more than 61% have never experienced sexual relationships. 35 of 53 patients have very few friends. More than 2/3 of the patients are not satisfied with their appearance. The most frequently cited complaints were related to poor height and excess weight in females, and poor virilization, reduced muscle mass and strength in men. Almost all patients complained of being treated as younger than their chronological age. Half of the total sample showed depression symptoms in the BDI test. 2/3 of the patients with gonadotropin deiiciency felt that sex hormone replacement therapy was started later than they would have desired. Laboral Aspects. 30% of the patients are unemployed and have never worked. Employment was obtained through relatives in 60% of the cases. Educational Aspects. Primary school was finished bv 20% of the patients. Half of the patients did not finish secondary school and 11% finished or are still at the University. 64.2% were held back at school for one or more years. 36% complained or being overprotected by teachers and more than 50% of being “teased” by their peers. In soite of being disappointed with their final height, 95% of patients think that treatment with growth hormone helped them and they would recommend it to younger patients. Hormone treatment is not enough, however, so psychosocial support must be considered to help these patients go through life.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kelselman, A., Heinrich, J., Pantano, L. et al. QUALITY OF LIFE IN HYPOPITUITARY ADULT PATIENTS DIAGNOSED DURING CHILDHOOD. Pediatr Res 38, 623 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199510000-00039
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199510000-00039