P01.10.B EMOTION RECOGNITION IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-GRADE GLIOMA: THE RELATIONSHIP WITH TUMOR LOCATION AND TUMOR VOLUME

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with low-grade gliomas (LGG), generally function well at the time of diagnosis and have a favourable prognosis. However, LGG can have impact on cognitive functioning of patients. To date, little is known about social cognition (SC) in patients with LGG. Social cognitive functions allow the processing of complex social information, with as important element the ability to recognize other people’s emotional expressions. Inaccurate recognition or misinterpretation of emotional facial expressions can lead to impairments in social functioning, which can have adverse effects on quality of life. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate emotion recognition in patients with LGG and the relationship with tumor location and tumor volume. MATERIAL AND METHODS 125 patients with IDH mutated astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma grade 2 and 3, were matched with 169 healthy controls (HC). Tumor location and volume were evaluated pre-radiotherapy based on MRI scans. As a parameter for LGG volume the clinical radiotherapy target volume was used. SC was measured with a test for emotion recognition, i.e. the Facial Expressions of Emotion Stimuli and Tests (FEEST), after surgery. Descriptive statistics and between-group comparisons were performed. RESULTS On a group level, patients with LGG performed significantly lower on the FEEST total score compared to HC. Also, compared to norm data used in clinical practice, 32.8% of the patients showed an impaired performance. Larger LGG volume was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with poorer performance on emotion recognition. However, no direct association between LGG location (frontal, temporal, parietal) and emotion recognition was found. CONCLUSION In patients with LGG, impaired emotion recognition is often present before start of radiotherapy, and is related to larger LGG volume but not to location. Because of the relatively favourable prognosis of patients with LGG, maintaining quality of life is of high importance. Therefore, a thorough neuropsychological examination, including measurements for SC, is necessary to inform patients with LGG about possible changes in SC, and offer appropriate psychoeducation and care.