Eating behaviour and oxytocin in patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma and different grades of hypothalamic involvement.

Abstract

Patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP) often suffer from tumour or treatment-related hypothalamic lesions (HL). These lesions may alter production of oxytocin, which plays a major role in the regulation of eating behaviour and body composition. In CP with different degrees of HL, we investigated associations between HL, eating behaviour/eating attitudes, and oxytocin saliva concentrations (OSC). In a cross-sectional case-control study on 34 CP and 73 healthy controls, OSC were measured before, and 60minutes after breakfast by immunoassay. Eating behaviour, attitudes, and habits were assessed by standardized questionnaires. CP with anterior+posterior HL presented with more adverse eating behaviours/symptoms of eating disorders than CP without HL, CP with anterior HL, and controls. Eating behaviour in CP with anterior HL was similar to controls, except for their tendency towards high dietary restraints. Decreases in postprandial compared with fasting OSC were associated with adverse eating behaviour in CP and controls and with higher BMI in CP. CP with anterior HL and CP with anterior+posterior HL present with distinct patterns of eating behaviour. Reduced postprandial compared with fasting OSC is associated with weight problems in CP and with adverse eating behaviour and symptoms of eating disorders in both CP and controls.