Symptoms tell it all: a systematic review of the value of symptom assessment to predict survival in advanced cancer patients

Symptom prevalence in patients with advanced skin cancer

Knowledge of the prevalence of symptoms in patients with incurable cancer in the terminal stage is important for clinicians. However, there has been no report on the prevalence of symptoms in patients with incurable skin cancer. We analyzed the prevalence of symptoms in 224 patients who died due to skin cancer in our center. These data were obtained from medical records compiled by a miscellaneous population of medical staff retrospectively. We evaluated the symptoms at 3 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week and 3 days before the patients died. Data for symptoms included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and the presence or absence of the following 13 symptoms: (i) bleeding or exudate; (ii) pain or necessity for an analgesic; (iii) fatigue; (iv) anorexia; (v) nausea; (vi) dyspnea or need for oxygen administration; (vii) bloating; (viii) insomnia; (ix) delirium; (x) drowsiness; (xi) anemia; (xii) spasm; and (xiii) paralysis. The average performance status gradually progressed. Pain and anorexia were the most common symptoms in patients with advanced skin cancer. Dyspnea, anemia and drowsiness also tended to be frequent as death approached despite the fact that the frequencies of these symptoms were not high 3 months before death. We considered that frequencies of prevalence of pain and dyspnea were due to bone and lung metastases. Bleeding or exudate from lesions is a characteristic symptom in patients with skin cancer. Our results regarding the prevalence of symptoms in patients with advanced skin cancer will be helpful for medical professionals to assess patients' conditions and to plan treatment.

Enteroscopy and radiology for the management of celiac disease complications: Time for a pragmatic roadmap

Celiac disease is the most common autoimmune enteropathy in Western countries, and is usually associated with a good response to the gluten free diet and an excellent prognosis. However, a minority of patients develop complications of the disease, such as refractory celiac disease, ulcerative jejunoileitis and neoplastic complications such as adenocarcinoma of the small bowel and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma. Neoplastic complications described in association with celiac disease have a high mortality rate, due to their aggressive behavior and to the usual advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. In recent years, the detection of small bowel lesions has dramatically improved thank to the availability of highly performing radiologic and endoscopic techniques. The diagnostic delay of malignant complications in patients with celiac disease may be improved by establishing a pragmatic flowchart for the identification and follow up of "at risk" patients. We performed a comprehensive review of the articles published on this issue in order to promote a roadmap to be applied when facing with celiac patients with suspected small bowel complications.

Pattern of symptoms and symptomatic treatment in adults and the aged population: a retrospective analysis of advanced cancer patients followed at home

Context Data regarding symptom burden and symptomatic drugs in palliative population in different classes of age are lacking. Objective The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the symptom burden, and the profile of symptomatic drugs in the last four weeks of life in adults and older cancer patients followed at home. Methods Charts of 412 patients were retrospectively analyzed by using a backward analysis. Patients were divided into three groups: adults (<65 years, A), old (65-74 years, O1), very old (75-84 years, O2), and the oldest (≥85 years, O3). Results At -4W Karnofsky status was significantly lower for older people (p = 0.03). No significant effect of age on the vector of symptoms was found (p = 0.07). A significant decrease in intensity of pain and nausea, and an increase in intensity of all other symptoms was found through the four weeks of the study (p = 0.00). No differences of drug pattern among the age categories were found. The use of symptomatic drugs decreased over time, except for opioids. Age statistically affected NSAID use, neuroleptic use, and antiemetics over time. Conclusion The burden of symptoms worsened in the last four weeks of life, except for pain and nausea, but did not differ among the age subgroups. The use of NSAIDs, neuroleptics, and antiemetics changed, while the frequency of opioid use was unchanged until death.

Effects of Dexamethasone and Placebo on Symptom Clusters in Advanced Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Report

OBJECTIVE

Advanced cancer patients frequently experience debilitating symptoms that occur in clusters, but few pharmacological studies have targeted symptom clusters. Our objective was to examine the effects of dexamethasone on symptom clusters in patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

We reviewed the data from a previous randomized clinical trial to determine the effects of dexamethasone on cancer symptoms. Symptom clusters were identified according to baseline symptoms by using principal component analysis. Correlations and change in the severity of symptom clusters were analyzed after study treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 114 participants were included in this study. Three clusters were identified: fatigue/anorexia-cachexia/depression (FAD), sleep/anxiety/drowsiness (SAD), and pain/dyspnea (PD). Changes in severity of FAD and PD significantly correlated over time (at baseline, day 8, and day 15). The FAD cluster was associated with significant improvement in severity at day 8 and day 15, whereas no significant change was observed with the SAD cluster or PD cluster after dexamethasone treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of this preliminary study suggest significant correlation over time and improvement in the FAD cluster at day 8 and day 15 after treatment with dexamethasone. These findings suggest that fatigue, anorexia-cachexia, and depression may share a common pathophysiologic basis. Further studies are needed to investigate this cluster and target anti-inflammatory therapies.

Symptom Monitoring With Patient-Reported Outcomes During Routine Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

There is growing interest to enhance symptom monitoring during routine cancer care using patient-reported outcomes, but evidence of impact on clinical outcomes is limited.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients receiving routine outpatient chemotherapy for advanced solid tumors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to report 12 common symptoms via tablet computers or to receive usual care consisting of symptom monitoring at the discretion of clinicians. Those with home computers received weekly e-mail prompts to report between visits. Treating physicians received symptom printouts at visits, and nurses received e-mail alerts when participants reported severe or worsening symptoms. The primary outcome was change in health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 6 months compared with baseline, measured by the EuroQol EQ-5D Index. Secondary endpoints included emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and survival.

RESULTS

Among 766 patients allocated, HRQL improved among more participants in the intervention group than usual care (34% v 18%) and worsened among fewer (38% v 53%; P < .001). Overall, mean HRQL declined by less in the intervention group than usual care (1.4- v 7.1-point drop; P < .001). Patients receiving intervention were less frequently admitted to the ER (34% v 41%; P = .02) or hospitalized (45% v 49%; P = .08) and remained on chemotherapy longer (mean, 8.2 v 6.3 months; P = .002). Although 75% of the intervention group was alive at 1 year, 69% with usual care survived the year (P = .05), with differences also seen in quality-adjusted survival (mean of 8.7 v. 8.0 months; P = .004). Benefits were greater for participants lacking prior computer experience. Most patients receiving intervention (63%) reported severe symptoms during the study. Nurses frequently initiated clinical actions in response to e-mail alerts.

CONCLUSION

Clinical benefits were associated with symptom self-reporting during cancer care.

Patient-reported physical functioning predicts the success of hematopoietic cell transplantation (BMT CTN 0902)

BACKGROUND

In hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), current risk adjustment strategies are based on clinical and disease-related variables. Although patient-reported outcomes (PROs) predict mortality in multiple cancers, they have been less well studied within HCT. Improvements in risk adjustment strategies in HCT would inform patient selection, patient counseling, and quality reporting. The objective of the current study was to determine whether pre-HCT PROs, in particular physical health, predict survival among patients undergoing autologous or allogeneic transplantation.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis, the authors studied pre-HCT PROs that were reported by 336 allogeneic and 310 autologous HCT recipients enrolled in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) 0902 protocol, a study with broad representation of patients who underwent transplantation in the United States.

RESULTS

Among allogeneic HCT recipients, the pre-HCT Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) scale independently predicted overall mortality (hazards ratio, 1.40 per 10-point decrease; P<.001) and performed at least as well as currently used, non-PRO risk indices. Survival probability estimates at 1 year for the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles of the baseline PCS were 50%, 65%, 75%, and 83%, respectively. Early post-HCT decreases in PCS were associated with higher overall and treatment-related mortality. When adjusted for patient variables included in the US Stem Cell Therapeutic Outcomes Database model for transplant center-specific reporting, the SF-36 PCS retained independent prognostic value.

CONCLUSIONS

PROs have the potential to improve prognostication in HCT. The authors recommend the routine collection of PROs before HCT, and consideration of the incorporation of PROs into risk adjustment for quality reporting.

Inflammation and cancer: advances and new agents

Tumour-promoting inflammation is considered one of the enabling characteristics of cancer development. Chronic inflammatory disease increases the risk of some cancers, and strong epidemiological evidence exists that NSAIDs, particularly aspirin, are powerful chemopreventive agents. Tumour microenvironments contain many different inflammatory cells and mediators; targeting these factors in genetic, transplantable and inducible murine models of cancer substantially reduces the development, growth and spread of disease. Thus, this complex network of inflammation offers targets for prevention and treatment of malignant disease. Much potential exists in this area for novel cancer prevention and treatment strategies, although clinical research to support targeting of cancer-related inflammation and innate immunity in patients with advanced-stage cancer remains in its infancy. Following the initial successes of immunotherapies that modulate the adaptive immune system, we assert that inflammation and innate immunity are important targets in patients with cancer on the basis of extensive preclinical and epidemiological data. The adaptive immune response is heavily dependent on innate immunity, therefore, inhibiting some of the tumour-promoting immunosuppressive actions of the innate immune system might enhance the potential of immunotherapies that activate a nascent antitumour response.

Prognostication of Survival in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Predicting the Unpredictable?

BACKGROUND

Prognosis is a key driver of clinical decision-making. However, available prognostication tools have limited accuracy and variable levels of validation.

METHODS

Principles of survival prediction and literature on clinician prediction of survival, prognostic factors, and prognostic models were reviewed, with a focus on patients with advanced cancer and a survival rate of a few months or less.

RESULTS

The 4 principles of survival prediction are (a) prognostication is a process instead of an event, (b) prognostic factors may evolve over the course of the disease, (c) prognostic accuracy for a given prognostic factor/ tool varies by the definition of accuracy, the patient population, and the time frame of prediction, and (d) the exact timing of death cannot be predicted with certainty. Clinician prediction of survival is the most commonly used approach to formulate prognosis. However, clinicians often overestimate survival rates with the temporal question. Other clinician prediction of survival approaches, such as surprise and probabilistic questions, have higher rates of accuracy. Established prognostic factors in the advanced cancer setting include decreased performance status, delirium, dysphagia, cancer anorexia-cachexia, dyspnea, inflammation, and malnutrition. Novel prognostic factors, such as phase angle, may improve rates of accuracy. Many prognostic models are available, including the Palliative Prognostic Score, the Palliative Prognostic Index, and the Glasgow Prognostic Score.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the uncertainty in survival prediction, existing prognostic tools can facilitate clinical decision-making by providing approximated time frames (months, weeks, or days). Future research should focus on clarifying and comparing the rates of accuracy for existing prognostic tools, identifying and validating novel prognostic factors, and linking prognostication to decision-making.

Fatigue and its associated psychosocial factors in cancer patients on active palliative treatment measured over time

Purpose

Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom by patients with advanced cancer, but hardly any prospective information is available about fatigue while on treatment in the palliative setting. In a previous cross-sectional study, we found several factors contributing to fatigue in these patients. In this study, we investigated the course of fatigue over time and if psychosocial factors were associated with fatigue over time.

Methods

Patients on cancer treatment for incurable solid tumors were observed over 6 months. Patients filled in the Checklist Individual Strength monthly to measure the course of fatigue. Baseline questionnaires were used to measure disease acceptance, anxiety, depressive mood, fatigue catastrophizing, sleeping problems, discrepancies in social support, and self-reported physical activity for their relation with fatigue over time.

Results

At baseline 137 patients and after 6 months 89 patients participated. The mean duration of participation was 4.9 months. At most time points, fatigue scores were significantly higher in the group dropouts in comparison with the group participating 6 months (completers). Overall fatigue levels remained stable over time for the majority of participants. In the completers, 42 % never experienced severe fatigue, 29 % persisted being severely fatigued, and others had either an increasing or decreasing level. Of the investigated factors, low reported physical activity and non-acceptance of cancer were associated significantly to fatigue.

Conclusion

A substantial number of participants never experienced severe fatigue and fatigue levels remained stable over time. For those who do experience severe fatigue, non-acceptance of having incurable cancer and low self-reported physical activity may be fatigue-perpetuating factors.

Linguistic Validation of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory in Persian-Speaking Iranian Cancer Patients

CONTEXT

Various symptoms frequently affect cancer patients' quality of life. Appropriate assessment of these symptoms provides valuable data for cancer management.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to validate the Persian version of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-P).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at four cancer treatment centers in two cities in Iran. Breast cancer and colorectal cancer patients aged 18 years and older were consecutively included in the study. The standard forward-backward translation method was applied. Patients completed the MDASI-P along with the previously validated Persian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Construct validity (factor analysis), criterion validity (against the EORTC QLQ-C30), and reliability (Cronbach's alpha) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 146 breast cancer and 94 colorectal cancer patients were studied. Factor analysis for the symptom severity items resulted in a three-factor solution, further reduced to a two-factor solution: general symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms. Correlation of the MDASI-P symptom severity items with corresponding EORTC QLQ-C30 symptom items (r = 0.48-0.75) and MDASI-P interference items with corresponding EORTC QLQ-C30 functioning domains (r = -0.46 to -0.23) supported the criterion validity. Cronbach's alpha was 0.90, 0.88, and 0.77 for the total questionnaire, symptom severity items, and the interference subscale, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The MDASI-P is a feasible, valid, and reliable instrument for evaluation of symptoms in Persian-speaking cancer patients and can be used to improve symptom management in these patients.

Symptom clusters in patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review of observational studies

CONTEXT

Advanced cancer patients typically experience multiple symptoms, which may influence patient outcomes synergistically. The composition of these symptom clusters (SCs) differs depending on various clinical variables and the timing and method of their assessment.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review was to examine the composition, longitudinal stability, and consistency across methodologies of common SCs, as well as their common predictors and outcomes.

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO was conducted using variants of symptom clusters, cancer, and palliative care.

RESULTS

Thirty-three articles were identified and reviewed. Many SCs were identified, with four common groupings being anxiety-depression, nausea-vomiting, nausea-appetite loss, and fatigue-dyspnea-drowsiness-pain. SCs in most cases were not stable longitudinally. The various statistical methods used (most commonly principal component analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis) tended to reveal different SCs. Different measurement tools were used in different studies, each containing a different array of symptoms. The predictors and outcomes of SCs were also inconsistent across studies. No studies of patient experiences of SCs were identified.

CONCLUSION

Although the articles reviewed revealed four groups of symptoms that tended to cluster, there is limited consistency in the way in which SCs and variables associated with them are identified. This is largely due to a lack of agreement about a robust, clinically relevant definition of SCs. Future research should focus on patients' subjective experience of SCs to inform a clinically relevant definition of SCs and how they are managed over time.

Integrating palliative care in oncology: the oncologist as a primary palliative care provider

The provision of comprehensive cancer care in an increasingly complex landscape necessitates that oncology providers familiarize themselves with the application of palliative care. Palliative care is a learnable skill. Recent endeavors in this arena have demonstrated that providing palliative care is part and parcel with providing compassionate and high-quality cancer care, specifically as it pertains to physical and emotional outcomes for patients and their caregivers alike. The basic tenets of providing palliative care emphasize: frequent and honest communication, routine and systematic symptom assessment, integration of spiritual assessments, and early integration of specialized hospice and palliative care resources as a patient's circumstances evolve. This article will endeavor to review and synthesize recent developments in the palliative care literature, specifically as they pertain to the oncologist as a primary palliative care provider.

Inflammation based regulation of cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia, consisting of significant skeletal muscle wasting independent of nutritional intake, is a major concern for patients with solid tumors that affects surgical, therapeutic, and quality of life outcomes. This review summarizes the clinical implications, background of inflammatory cytokines, and the origin and sources of procachectic factors including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, INF-γ, and PIF. Molecular mechanisms and pathways are described to elucidate the link between the immune response caused by the presence of the tumor and the final result of skeletal muscle wasting.

Early integration of palliative care in hospitals: A systematic review on methods, barriers, and outcome

Objective:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care (PC) should be available to everyone suffering from life-threatening diseases and should be started early on in the illness trajectory. However, PC is often initiated much later and is restricted to cancer patients. There is a need for more knowledge about how early PC can be implemented in clinical practice. The purpose of our study was to document the best evidence on methods for early identification (EI) of palliative trajectories in cancer, chronic heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations, and to identify preconditions for early integration of general PC in hospitals and outcomes for patients and relatives.

Method:

A comprehensive systematic review of methods, preconditions, and outcomes was conducted via an electronic literature search of publications between 2002 and September 2012. A final sample of 44 papers was reviewed in detail.

Results:

Our study identified disease-specific and general methods for EI of patients who might benefit from PC. Prognostication of end-stage disease based on (holistic) clinical judgment, prognostic factors, and/or care needs are the most frequently recommended methods. A number of interacting disease-, staff-, user-, and organization-specific barriers need to be overcome in order to implement early integration of PC in clinical practice. Early integration of PC may lead to better symptom management, prolonged survival, and better quality of life.

Significance of Results:

No methods can be recommended for routine clinical practice without further validation. There is an urgent need to develop and evaluate methods based on the holistic assessment of symptoms or needs. The barriers to early integration of PC are most extensive with regard to CHF and COPD. Professional training and education are recommended to facilitate early implementation of PC. The evidence about outcome is sparse and mostly relates to cancer populations receiving specialized PC.

Cancer and systemic inflammation: treat the tumour and treat the host

Determinants of cancer progression and survival are multifactorial and host responses are increasingly appreciated to have a major role. Indeed, the development and maintenance of a systemic inflammatory response has been consistently observed to confer poorer outcome, in both early and advanced stage disease. For patients, cancer-associated symptoms are of particular importance resulting in a marked impact on day-to-day quality of life and are also associated with poorer outcome. These symptoms are now recognised to cluster with one another with anorexia, weight loss and physical function forming a recognised cluster whereas fatigue, pain and depression forming another. Importantly, it has become apparent that these symptom clusters are associated with presence of a systemic inflammatory response in the patient with cancer. Given the understanding of the above, there is now a need to intervene to moderate systemic inflammatory responses, where present. In this context the rationale for therapeutic intervention using nonselective anti-inflammatory agents is clear and compelling and likely to become a part of routine clinical practice in the near future. The published literature on therapeutic intervention using anti-inflammatory agents for cancer-associated symptoms was reviewed. There are important parallels with the development of useful treatments for the systemic inflammatory response in patients with rheumatological disease and cardiovascular disease.

Shortness of breath and cough in patients in palliative care

BACKGROUND

Shortness of breath and cough are common, disturbing symptoms in patients receiving palliative care. They arise in 10% to 70% of patients with advanced cancer and in 60% to nearly 100% of patients with non-malignant underlying diseases, depending on the type of disease.

METHODS

This review is based on a selective literature search in the Medline, Embase, and PsycInfo databases and on current recommendations from Germany and other countries, as well as on the authors' personal experience.

RESULTS

Some general measures to address these problems are reassurance, development of an emergency plan, physical activity, and relaxation exercises. Supportive non-pharmacological measures may include the use of a rollator (level of evidence [LoE] 1-), a cool draft of air as from a handheld fan (LoE 1-), physiotherapy, and respiratory therapy. There is good evidence (LoE 1+) to support the administration of opioids as the medications of choice; benzodiazepines are often used, but a meta-analysis did not reveal any statistically significant benefit (LoE 1+). Expectorants can help patients who cough with marked sputum formation. Antitussants suppress the cough reflex both peripherally and centrally (LoE 1+ to 3). Opioids, including morphine (LoE 1-) and dextromethorphan (LoE 1-), are effective antitussants with low toxicity.

CONCLUSION

In most patients, shortness of breath and cough can be relieved by a series of therapeutic measures.

Association between body image dissatisfaction and weight loss among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers: a preliminary report

CONTEXT

No prospective studies have dealt with the impact of cachexia-related weight loss on patients' body image as well as the impact of patients' body image changes on the level of patient and family distress.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to examine associations between body mass index (BMI), weight loss, symptom distress, and body image for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.

METHODS

Outpatients with advanced cancer and different levels of BMI, along with their caregivers, were recruited. Patient assessments included BMI, precancer weight, Body Image Scale (BIS; 0-30), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and sexual interest and enjoyment as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck Cancer Module 35. Caregivers were asked to assess the patient's body image, using the BIS; rate their own quality of life, using the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer; and rate their overall distress and distress regarding the patient's weight, using the Distress Thermometer (DT).

RESULTS

We included 81 patients and 30 caregivers. Forty-eight patients (59%) experienced weight loss of at least 10%. The mean BIS score was 11.23 (SD = 7.24). Body image dissatisfaction was correlated with weight loss (r = 0.31, P = 0.006), anxiety (HADS-A; r = 0.39, P < 0.001), depression (HADS-D; r = 0.46, P < 0.001), decreased sexual interest (r = 0.37, P = 0.001), decreased sexual enjoyment (r = 0.33, P = 0.004), ESAS score for pain (r = 0.25, P = 0.026), fatigue (r = 0.28, P = 0.014), drowsiness (r = 0.28, P = 0.014), shortness of breath (r = 0.27, P = 0.016), sleep disorders (r = 0.24, P = 0.036), and well-being (r = 0.29, P = 0.011). We found a significant association between the caregivers' evaluation of patients' body image dissatisfaction and patients' BIS score (r = 0.37, P = 0.049) and caregivers' distress regarding the patients' weight (DT; r = 0.58; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Body image dissatisfaction was strongly associated with patients' weight loss and with psychosocial distress among patients and their caregivers. More research is necessary to better understand the association between the severity of body image dissatisfaction and the severity of other problems in patients with cancer.

Timing of antioxidant supplementation is critical in improving anorexia in an experimental model of cancer

Increased oxidative stress may contribute to cancer anorexia, which could be ameliorated by antioxidant supplementation. methylcholanthrene (MCA) sarcoma-bearing Fisher rats were studied. After tumour inoculation, rats were randomly assigned to standard diet (CTR group, n = 6), or to an antioxidant-enriched diet (AOX group, n = 8). Eight more rats (STD-AOX group) switched from standard to antioxidant diet when anorexia developed. At the end of the study, food intake (FI, g/d), body weight and tumour weight (g) were recorded, and plasma samples were obtained. On day 16, anorexia has appeared only in CTR and STD-AOX animals. At the end of the study, FI in AOX animals was still higher than in the other groups (p = 0.08). No differences in body and tumour weights were observed among groups. However, hydrogen peroxide and interleukin-1β levels were significantly reduced only in AOX rats. Data obtained suggest that early antioxidant supplementation improves cancer anorexia, ameliorates oxidative stress and reduces inflammation.

Predicting survival in advanced hematologic malignancies: do patient-reported symptoms matter?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether patient-reported symptoms provide independent prognostic information for survival in patients with hematological malignancies.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Overall 119 patients with various diagnoses were recruited in an observational study and symptoms were assessed with the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI). Key potential socio-demographic, biomedical, and physician-reported prognostic candidates were also considered. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for both univariate and multivariate analyses of survival. Additional sensitivity analysis, based on 500 bootstrap-generated simulation datasets, was also performed to confirm the results obtained with the Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The median survival of the entire cohort was 4.8 months (range 0-28 months). The MDASI was completed at baseline by 91% of patients. The final multivariate model retained two parameters as independent prognostic factors for survival: clinical prognostic group and patient's self-reported severity of drowsiness. The following hazard ratios (HR) were found for curable vs. terminal: 0.055 (95% CI, 0.022-0.136; P < 0.001) and 0.193 (95% CI, 0.103-0.362: P < 0.001) for advanced vs. terminal. Patient's self-reported severity of drowsiness independently predicted survival with a HR of 1.801 (95% CI, 1.044-3.107; P = 0.033). Additional sensitivity analysis confirmed the independent prognostic value of variables identified in this study.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that patients' self-reporting of symptoms provides independent prognostic information for survival in patients with hematologic malignancies. These findings underscore the value of collecting patient-reported symptom data in routine clinical practice.