A core outcome set for pituitary surgery research: an international delphi consensus study

Valetopoulou A, Newall N, Khan DZ, Borg A, Bouloux PM, Bremner F, Buchfelder M, Cudlip S, Dorward N, Drake WM, Fernandez-Miranda JC, Fleseriu M, Geltzeiler M, Ginn J, Gurnell M, Harris S, Jaunmuktane Z, Korbonits M, Kosmin M, Koulouri O, Horsfall HL, Mamelak AN, Mannion R, McBride P, McCormack AI, Melmed S, Miszkiel KA, Raverot G, Santarius T, Schwartz TH, Serrano I, Zada G, Baldeweg SE, Marcus HJ, Kolias AG (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Pituitary Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 28

Article Number: 88

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1007/s11102-025-01553-w

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a core outcome set (COS) for pituitary surgery to enhance the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of future pituitary adenoma surgery research. METHODS: Thirty-three outcomes were identified through a systematic review of pituitary adenoma surgery outcomes and a study on patient-reported measures. These were presented in an online survey to healthcare professionals (HCPs), patients and caregivers. In the first round, participants scored each outcome's importance on a 5-point scale (1-strongly disagree; 5-strongly agree) and could also suggest additional outcomes, which were reviewed and, if appropriate, added to existing domains. In the second round, participants re-scored the updated the list, considering group median and interquartile range scores from the previous round. Outcomes with a median score of 5 were included in the COS. A final live online consensus meeting discussed and voted on borderline outcomes (median scores 3-4). RESULTS: The first round received 95 responses (52% HCPs, 48% patients/caregivers). Of the 33 outcomes, 16 received a median score of 5 (strongly agree), three received 4.5 and 14 received 4 (agree). Round two received 87 responses (52% HCPs, 48% patients and caregivers). Of the 33 outcomes, 14 received a median ranking of 5, two received 4.5, 15 received 4 and two received 3 (neutral). The live meeting (attended by 12 participants: 5 HCPs, 6 patients, 1 caregiver), reached consensus on the final COS, which includes 7 domains: short-term surgical outcomes; nasal outcomes; ophthalmic outcomes; endocrine outcomes; quality of life and psychological outcomes; other short-term outcomes; and disease control outcomes. CONCLUSION: We advocate for use of the COS in future pituitary surgery research.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Buchfelder Medizinische Fakultät

Involved external institutions

St Vincent's Hospital Sydney AU Australia (AU) Cedars-Sinai Medical Center US United States (USA) (US) National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery GB United Kingdom (GB) Hospices Civils de Lyon (CHU) FR France (FR) Addenbrooke's Hospital GB United Kingdom (GB) Keck School of Medicine of USC US United States (USA) (US) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) GB United Kingdom (GB) Pituitary Foundation GB United Kingdom (GB) Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust GB United Kingdom (GB) Queen Mary University of London GB United Kingdom (GB) Stanford University US United States (USA) (US) Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Valetopoulou, A., Newall, N., Khan, D.Z., Borg, A., Bouloux, P.M., Bremner, F.,... Kolias, A.G. (2025). A core outcome set for pituitary surgery research: an international delphi consensus study. Pituitary, 28(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-025-01553-w

MLA:

Valetopoulou, Alexandra, et al. "A core outcome set for pituitary surgery research: an international delphi consensus study." Pituitary 28.4 (2025).

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