Comprehensive Assessment of Meningioma Patients

Patients completed three validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Healthcare utilization was measured with a study-specific questionnaire). This questionnaire was based on the existing Treatment Inventory of Costs in Patients with psychiatric disorders (TIC-P) questionnaire. During a consensus meeting, healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of meningioma patients selected those aspects that were considered relevant for the care trajectory of meningioma patients. The study-specific questionnaire to measure healthcare utilization was used to assess the frequency of healthcare professional consultation in the twelve months prior to the study. We considered consultation with the following healthcare professionals relevant for meningioma patients: general practitioner, neurologist, neurosurgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, endocrinologist, physiatrist, plastic surgeon, anesthesiologist, radiologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and physiotherapist. Data on the reason for visitation of healthcare professionals were not collected, as these were not explicitly reported in the patient charts or questionnaire. Patients were categorized into high (≥ 3 visits) or low specialist care utilization (< 3 visits), based on the total number of visits to any relevant medical specialist during the previous twelve months. The study-specific healthcare utilization questionnaire assessed the use of medication in terms of dosage and frequency, which was used to determine the use of antiepileptic drugs, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy. In addition, the use of the emergency room and admission in healthcare facilities (i.e., academic hospitals, non-academic hospitals, psychotherapeutic facilities, and rehabilitation centers) was assessed. HRQoL was measured with the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire, brain neoplasm module (EORTC QLQ-BN20). Anxiety and depression were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). More detailed information about these PROMs can be found in the supplemental file (Supplemental File).