QOL-27PREVALENCE OF CHANGES IN PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIOR IN ADULT GLIOMA PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gliomas are rare, with a dismal outcome and an obvious impact on quality of life, because of neurological, physical and cognitive problems, as well as personality and behavioral changes. These latter changes may affect the lives of both patients and their relatives in a profound way, but it is unclear how often this occurs and to what extent. METHODS: We performed a systematic review to determine the prevalence of changes in personality and behavior in glioma patients. Searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL and Embase. Based on predetermined in- and exclusion criteria, papers were screened for eligibility. Information on the topics of interest were subtracted from the full-text papers: prevalence and used definition of personality and/or behavioral changes, impact, and tools used to measure these changes. RESULTS: The search yielded 9895 papers, of which 18 were found to be eligible; 9 qualitative and 9 quantitative studies. The reported prevalence rates of changes in personality and/or behavior varied from 8-67% in glioma patients, and was 100% in a bilateral thalamic case series. Moreover, these changes were associated with distress and a lower quality of life of both patients and informal caregivers. Methods of measurement of personality and behavioral changes differed considerably, as did the description of these changes. The terms ‘personality change’, ‘behavioral change’ and ‘cognitive or behavioral change’ were used interchangeably. CONCLUSION: Data on the prevalence of personality and behavioral changes are scarce, but present in a substantial number of glioma patients, with a profound impact. To determine the true prevalence of these changes, proper designed prospective studies are needed using proper definitions of personality and behavioral changes and validated measuring tools. Ultimately, these findings may result in improved supportive care of both patients and caregivers, during the disease trajectory.