The quality of life in adult patients treated for Cushing’s disease in childhood

Introduction
Numerous studies assessed the quality of life (QoL) of adult patients after Cushing’s disease (CD) treatment. Available professional literature reveals that hypercortisolemia caused by CD may negatively impact the mood and social life. However, data on QoL of adult patients after CD treatment in childhood are scarce. Aim of the study: To study the QoL of adult patients treated for CD in childhood.

Material and methods
Eighteen out of 29 adult patients diagnosed in childhood with CD and/or treated at one center participated in a survey and completed WHO Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire. The influence of selected prognostic factors for the QoL has been analyzed. Patients data were compared with a control group with the same age and sex.

Results
Participants (10 women and 8 men) were at the mean age of 28.93 years (19.75–40.33). No significant difference in the QoL was noted between analyzed patients and controls. Patients with hypopituitarism had lower results in domain 4 in comparison with patients without hypopituitarism (p = 0.31) and lower results in domain 2 in comparison with the control group (p = 0.045). Patients with a higher age at disease onset had lower results of the QoL in domain 1 (p = 0.031).

Conclusions
During long-term follow-up the QoL of patients after CD treatment in childhood is not significantly different wit QoL of healthy controls. Further studies are needed to expand the knowledge of factors that may contribute to the QoL in CD patients who were treated in childhood.