Higher Income and Integration into the Workforce Are the Main Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Acromegalic Patients in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Objective. To identify the factors associated with quality of life in patients with acromegaly with follow-up at the referral service in neuroendocrinology of the state of Maranhão, northeast Brazil. Methods. The Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (Acro-QoL) was used. Factors independently associated with quality of life were identified using multivariate linear regression, with p values < 0.05 considered significant. Results. The multivariate linear regression analysis indicated a positive association between being integrated into the job market and quality of life scores in the overall domain (β=0.288, p=0.003), psychological domain (β=0.291, p=0.032), and personal relationship domain (β=0.314, p=0.019). We also observed a positive association with income and the quality of life scores in all domains as follows: overall domain (β=0.037, p=0.003), physical domain (β=0.988, p=0.001), psychological domain (β=0.342, p=0.008), physical appearance domain (β=0.270, p=0.049), and personal relationship domain (β=0.315, p=0.012). Conclusion. For patients with acromegaly living in one of the least developed regions of Brazil, integration into the job market and a higher income were associated with a better quality of life.