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Hypothalamic pituitary conditions may hinder social milestone achievement
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Adults with childhood-onset and young adult-onset hypothalamic pituitary conditions may fail to achieve social milestones compared with adults with a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, study data show.
Helena Gleeson, MD, MBBS, MRCP, of the department of endocrinology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the United Kingdom, and colleagues evaluated data from the KIMS database (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) on 2,952 adults who developed hypothalamic pituitary conditions before age 25 years to determine social, education and vocational outcomes of these adults.
Adults with hypothalamic pituitary conditions were divided into two groups based on age of onset: childhood (< 16 years; n = 1,782) and young adult (16 to < 25 years; n = 1,170). Adults diagnosed with a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma at age 25 years or older comprised the adult-onset control group (n = 1,617). Participants completed the KIMS Patient Life Situation Form to provide information on social, educational and vocational outcomes.
Compared with the control group, the study cohort was more likely to live with their parents; at age 35 to 45 years, the childhood-onset and young adult-onset groups were four times more likely to live with their parents, and childhood-onset women were eight times more likely. Compared with women with childhood-onset pituitary adenomas and nonacquired diagnoses, women with childhood-onset craniopharyngiomas were more likely to live with their parents. Compared with men with young adult-onset pituitary adenomas, men with young adult-onset brain tumors were more likely to live with their parents.
Compared with the control group, the childhood-onset and young adult-onset groups were less likely to live in partnership and have children.
No significant differences were found between the groups for completing higher education or being in education, employment or training.
“Children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with hypopituitarism persistent into adulthood are failing to achieve their social outcomes,” the researchers wrote. “Although social, educational and vocational outcomes are both recognized as important determinants of long-term health, there is more of a focus on making young people employable and economically active than helping with social skills and opportunity for peer interaction. This is despite social relationships being shown to be particularly important in increasing resilience and promoting recovery.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: Gleeson reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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