|
|
[Impaired
cognitive functioning in low-grade glioma patients: relationship to
tumor localisation, radiotherapy and the use of anticonvulsants]
[Article in Dutch]
Klein M, Heimans JJ, Aaronson NK, Postma TJ, Muller M, van der
Ploeg HM, Taphoorn MJ
Afd. Medische Psychologie, Vrije Universiteit Medisch Centrum, Van
der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam. m.klein@vumc.nl
Objective. To determine the effects of radiotherapy and
other medical interventions on cognitive functioning in patients with
a low-grade glioma (LGG).
Design.
Cross-sectional study.
Method.
A total of 195 LGG patients, of whom 104 had received radiotherapy
1-22 years previously, were compared to 100 patients with a low-grade
haematological malignancy and 195 healthy controls.
The analysis was aimed at differentiating between the effects of the
tumour (disease duration, lateralisation) and treatment effects
(neurosurgery, radiotherapy, use of anticonvulsants) on cognitive
function and the relative risk of cognitive disability.
Results.
LGG patients had lower performance levels in all cognitive domains
than haematological patients and performed even worse when they were
compared to healthy controls.
Radiotherapy was associated with poorer cognitive functioning;
however, cognitive disability was found only in patients receiving
fractional doses exceeding 2 Gy.
The use of anticonvulsants was strongly associated with disorders in
the area of attention and planning functions.
Conclusion.
In this study, the tumour itself was the most damaging factor with
respect to cognitive function and radiotherapy was associated with
cognitive disability only if elevated fractional doses were
used.
Epilepsy or the use of anticonvulsants was also associated with
diminished cognitive functioning.
PMID: 15559412 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
|
