Prediagnostic presentations of glioma in primary care: a case–control study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms glioma patients may present with to the general practitioner, and whether these can be distinguished from patients with other CNS disorders or any other condition. Methods: Glioma patients were matched to CNS patients and ‘other controls’ using anonymized general practitioner registries. Prevalences were evaluated in the 5 years prior to diagnosis. Result: CNS patients reported significantly more motor symptoms in the period 60–24 months, (p = 0.039). Moreover, <6 months before diagnosis CNS patients differed significantly in mood disorders/fear compared with ‘other controls’ (p = 0.012) but not glioma patients (p = 0.816). Conclusion: Glioma patients could not be distinguished from both control groups with respect to the number or type of prediagnostic symptoms.