TY  - JOUR
A1  - Senft, Christian
A1  - Behrens, Marion
A1  - Lortz, Irina
A1  - Wenger-Alakmeh, Katharina Johanna
A1  - Filipski, Katharina Johanna
A1  - Seifert, Volker
A1  - Forster, Marie-Thérèse
T1  - The ability to return to work: a patient-centered outcome parameter following glioma surgery
T2  - Journal of neuro-oncology
N2  - Background: With refinements in diagnosis and therapy of gliomas, the importance of survival time as the sole outcome parameter has decreased, and patient-centered outcome parameters have gained interest. Pursuing a profession is an indispensable component of human happiness. The aim of this study was to analyze the professional outcomes besides their neuro-oncological and functional evaluation after surgery for gliomas in eloquent areas.
Methods: We assessed neuro-oncological and functional outcomes of patients with gliomas WHO grades II and III undergoing surgery between 2012 and 2018. All patients underwent routine follow-up and adjuvant treatment. Treatment and survival parameters were collected prospectively. Repercussions of the disease on the patients’ professional status, socio-economic situation, and neurocognitive function were evaluated retrospectively with questionnaires.
Results: We analyzed data of 58 patients with gliomas (WHO II: 9; III: 49). Median patient age was 35.8 years (range 21–63 years). Awake surgery techniques were applied in 32 patients (55.2%). Gross total and subtotal tumor resections were achieved in 33 (56.9%) and 17 (29.3%) patients, respectively, whereas in 8 patients (13.8%) resection had to remain partial. Most patients (n = 46; 79.3%) received adjuvant treatment. Median follow up was 43.8 months (range 11–82 months). After treatment 41 patients (70.7%) were able to resume a working life. Median time until returning to work was 8.0 months (range 0.2–22.0 months). To be younger than 40 at the time of the surgery was associated with a higher probability to return to work (p < .001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that patient age < 40 years as well as occupational group and self-reported fatigue were factors independently associated with the ability to return to work.
Conclusion: The ability to resume professional activities following brain tumor surgery is an important patient-oriented outcome parameter. We found that the majority of patients with gliomas were able to return to work following surgical and adjuvant treatment. Preservation of neurological function is of utmost relevance for individual patients´ quality of life.
KW  - Return to work
KW  - Glioma
KW  - Brain tumor surgery
KW  - Quality of life
Y1  - 2020
UR  - http://publikationen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/79262
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-792623
SN  - 1573-7373
N1  - Open Access funding provided by Projekt DEAL.
VL  - 149
IS  - 3
SP  - 403
EP  - 411
PB  - Springer Science + Business Media B.V
CY  - Dordrecht [u.a.]
ER  -