The PitQoL Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The PitQoL Study: Quality of life and psychosocial functioning in pituitary gigantism

  • IRAS ID

    230857

  • Contact name

    Márta Korbonits

  • Contact email

    m.korbonits@qmul.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Queen Mary University Of London

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Pituitary gigantism is a rare condition caused by a growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma that occurs during childhood before the fusion of the epiphyseal growth plates. As well as being characterised by extreme stature, chronic GH excess can lead to the development of acromegaly in these patients. Symptoms of acromegaly include bossing of the forehead, thickened skin, protrusion of the jaw, hypertension, excessive sweating, and enlargement of the hands and feet.

    Individual case reports suggest that psychological problems appear to be common in pituitary gigantism. However, to date, no in-depth information regarding the psychological profiles and the quality of life of patients with gigantism is available. Poor quality of life and poor psychological functioning has been reported in cases of adult onset acromegaly where stature is unaffected. Therefore, the extreme stature seen in pituitary gigantism likely exacerbates problems concerning quality of life and well-being in these patients.

    This research will aim to examine quality of life and psychological well-being in pituitary gigantism and other pituitary conditions using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. General and disease-specific quality of life, and psychosocial functioning, will be measured using questionnaires. The results will be compared to a group of patients with acromegaly, and a group of patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas. These patients will act as control groups. Associations between clinical factors and quality of life will be examined in this unique patient cohort. We also plan to conduct in-depth one-to-one semi-structured interviews with a small sub-sample of both adult and child patients with pituitary gigantism and other pituitary conditions in order to gain insight into the specific issues surrounding quality of life in these patients.

  • REC name

    London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    17/LO/2124

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 Jan 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion