PurposeNon-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) have a substantial impact on patients' health status, yet research on the extent of healthcare utilization and costs among these patients is scarce.... Show morePurposeNon-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) have a substantial impact on patients' health status, yet research on the extent of healthcare utilization and costs among these patients is scarce. The objective was to determine healthcare usage, associated costs, and their determinants among patients treated for an NFPA.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 167 patients treated for an NFPA completed four validated questionnaires. Annual healthcare utilization and associated costs were assessed through the medical consumption questionnaire (MTA iMCQ). In addition, the Leiden Bother and Needs Questionnaire for pituitary patients (LBNQ-Pituitary), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and EuroQol (EQ-5D) were administered. Furthermore, age, sex, endocrine status, treatment, and duration of follow-up were extracted from the medical records. Associations were analyzed using logistic/linear regression.ResultsAnnual healthcare utilization included: consultation of an endocrinologist (95% of patients), neurosurgeon (14%), and/or ophthalmologist (58%). Fourteen percent of patients had 1 hospitalization(s) and 11% 1 emergency room visit(s). Mean overall annual healthcare costs were Euro 3040 (SD 6498), highest expenditures included medication (31%), inpatient care (28%), and specialist care (17%). Factors associated with higher healthcare utilization and costs were greater self-perceived disease bother and need for support, worse mental and physical health status, younger age, and living alone.ConclusionHealthcare usage and costs among patients treated for an NFPA are substantial and were associated with self-perceived health status, disease bother, and healthcare needs rather than endocrine status, treatment, or duration of follow-up. These findings suggest that targeted interventions addressing disease bother and unmet needs in the chronic phase are needed. Show less
Pieterse, A.H.; Kunneman, M.; Hout, W.B. van den; Baas-Thijssen, M.; Geijsen, E.D.; Ceha, H.M.; ... ; Stiggelbout, A.M. 2019
PurposeNon-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) have a substantial impact on patients’ healthstatus, yet research on the extent of healthcare utilization and costs among these patients isscarce.... Show morePurposeNon-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) have a substantial impact on patients’ healthstatus, yet research on the extent of healthcare utilization and costs among these patients isscarce. The objective was to determine healthcare usage, associated costs, and theirdeterminants among patients treated for an NFPA.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 167 patients treated for an NFPA completed four validatedquestionnaires. Annual healthcare utilization and associated costs were assessed through themedical consumption questionnaire (MTA iMCQ). In addition, the Leiden Bother and NeedsQuestionnaire for pituitary patients (LBNQ-Pituitary), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and EuroQol(EQ-5D) were administered. Furthermore, age, sex, endocrine status, treatment, and durationof follow-up were extracted from the medical records. Associations were analyzed usinglogistic/linear regression.ResultsAnnual healthcare utilization included: consultation of an endocrinologist (95% of patients),neurosurgeon (14%), and/or ophthalmologist (58%). Fourteen percent of patients had ≥1hospitalization(s) and 11% ≥1 emergency room visit(s). Mean overall annual healthcare costswere € 3040 (SD 6498), highest expenditures included medication (31%), inpatient care(28%), and specialist care (17%). Factors associated with higher healthcare utilization andcosts were greater self-perceived disease bother and need for support, worse mental andphysical health status, younger age, and living alone.ConclusionHealthcare usage and costs among patients treated for an NFPA are substantial and were associated with self-perceived health status, disease bother, and healthcare needs rather thanendocrine status, treatment, or duration of follow-up. These findings suggest that targetedinterventions addressing disease bother and unmet needs in the chronic phase are needed. Show less
