Functional capacity and body mass index in patients with sellar masses--cross-sectional study on 403 patients diagnosed during childhood and adolescence.

RATIONALE

We analyzed the impact of tumour localization and histology on functional capacity (FC) and body mass index (BMI) in children with sellar masses.

METHODS

FC was evaluated using the ability scale Fertigkeitenskala Münster-Heidelberg in 403 children and adolescents with sellar masses (276 craniopharyngioma, 14 germinoma, 21 optic/chiasmatic glioma, 40 hypothalamic glioma, 13 cysts of Rathke's cleft and 39 other sellar masses). Besides tumour localization, the influence of gender, irradiation and age at diagnosis and at evaluation on FC and BMI was analyzed. General linear models with explanatory influential variables were built.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, only age at diagnosis (p<0.001) and hypothalamic involvement (p=0.005) had relevant impact on FC. The second model showed BMI at diagnosis (p<0,001), hypothalamic involvement (p<0.001) and craniopharyngioma (p=0,004) to influence BMI at the latest evaluation.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that hypothalamic involvement and young age at diagnosis had major impact on FC and BMI and should be considered as risk factors for impaired rehabilitation.