Endocrine Abstracts

Each patient experience of diagnosis and treatment for Acromegaly is unique. For some the process is simple and straightforward, for others it is more challenging. For patients the condition is more than just the identification and treatment of the tumour: there are several important psychosocial issues with potentially far-reaching effects. Patients may feel disempowered from raising concerns about the wider psychosocial aspects of Acromegaly with healthcare ...

There is estimated to be 60 000 people with pituitary disease in the UK. Reports have identified a number of concerns and unmet psychological needs in this patient population. Many patients with pituitary disorders remain isolated, alienated, and distressed. Research has suggested that patient distress may not be identified by healthcare professionals (HCPs), resulting in significant morbidity, additional use of primary and secondary care services, and patient dissatisfaction ...

Introduction: When reviewing data from an Acromegaly focus group, it highlighted the lack of psychological support they receive. I became interested to see how psychological support varies geographically across the UK. I also wanted to identify what patients viewed as the priority in order to improve their Acromegaly care.Methods: 1. 7 Acromegaly patients from across the UK, with a mix of age, sex and treatment experience were filmed as part of a focus g...

Background: Klinefelter’s syndrome (KS) is a genetic condition affecting men with the potential to severely reduce their testosterone levels and affect their physical appearance. Being a syndrome there are a variety of different symptoms which individuals may experience to a great or lesser extent. While much research has been directed at understanding the cognitive impact of KS much less research has been undertaken considering the psycho-social impact of living with the...

Background: Setting a goal helps individuals achieve their long-term aims. A goal that challenges an individual, but at the same time is achievable, is likely to be attained. Candidates for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) may have different long-term goals, which may include achieving a particular weight loss or clothes size.Methods: 39 individuals undergoing LAGB were prospectively monitored for 5 years. Participants were weighed, had a 1...

Background: Understanding hypoadrenal patients’ perceptions of adrenal crisis is vital in the prevention of this endocrine emergency. This study explored the experiences, knowledge and attitudes of hypoadrenal patients to adrenal crises and their prevention.Method: A cross-sectional qualitative study using structured interviews with patients with primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.<p c...

Introduction: Despite the usefulness of using theory to underpin analysis, there is a paucity of literature applying this to experiences of gastric banding (GB) surgery. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is useful for exploring beliefs underlying behaviour. The present study uses a TPB framework to explore individuals’ beliefs towards GB both prior to and five years post-surgery.Methods: A prospective longitudinal qualitative study. Semi-structu...

Introduction: Patient distress may be associated with a reduced quality of life (QoL), poor adherence to treatment and lower satisfaction with medical care. Best practice guidance recommends that distress is assessed at key points within the patient-care pathway. The aim of this study was to develop a pituitary-specific distress assessment tool.Method: Working with the Pituitary Foundation, a Wellbeing Survey was generated, comprising 36 pituitary-specif...

Background: Healthcare organisations worldwide are making use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess the impact of care received on patient’s health-related quality of life.Aim: A cross-sectional pilot study designed to evaluate the suitability and validity of a proposed pituitary PROM questionnaire pack for patients having pituitary surgery.Methods: The PROM pack comprised five questionnaires focused on sympto...

Introduction: To date, psychological research on pancreatic transplantation has focused mainly on illness and quality of life. Research has been predominantly quantitative rendering it impossible to identify specific psychological issues faced by patients. Uniquely, this work considered post-transplant issues in the context of the pre-transplant psychological burden of patients with T1DM.Methods: 21 individuals with T1DM were interviewed (11 males; five ...