Other Paradigms: Health-Related Quality of Life as a Measure in Cancer Treatment: Its Importance and Relevance

Resilience mediates the effect of peer victimization on quality of life in Chongqing adolescents: from a perspective of positive childhood experiences

Background

Peer victimization is a harmful experience that contributed to one's psychological problems, physical health deterioration, and so on. Quality of life (QoL) is an important indicator of adolescent health assessment. To identify potential pathways of positive experiences in preventing peer victimization's detrimental effects and then provide intervention ideas for adolescent health, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between peer victimization and QoL in Chongqing adolescents and discover whether resilience plays a mediating role and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) act as a moderating role in the relationship.

Methods

Data were the first follow-up of a cohort study conducted in four complete middle schools in two districts of Chongqing, China. Self-designed peer victimization items, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Adolescent Quality of Life Scale, and the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale were used. We investigated the differences and correlations in peer victimization, QoL, and resilience between the two PCEs groups. Mplus version 8.3 was used to analyze the mediating role of resilience and the moderating role of PCEs in peer victimization and QoL.

Results

Peer victimization, resilience, and QoL differed between the two PCEs groups (P < 0.001). Peer victimization negatively correlated with QoL and resilience, while resilience positively correlated with QoL (P < 0.001). In the models with total QOL as the dependent variable, the indirect effect was -0.431 (8.08% of the total effect) in the low-PCEs group vs. -2.077 (41.97% of the total effect) in the high-PCEs group. In the models with four dimensions of QOL as the dependent variable, the indirect effects ranged from -0.054 to -0.180 (6.07-12.95% of the total effects) in the low-PCEs group and from 0.295 to -0.823 in the high-PCEs group (35.89-68.76% of the total effects). Both total and indirect effects were significant (P < 0.05). In addition, the differences in indirect effects were significant between the two PCEs groups (P < 0.05), while differences in total and direct effects were almost not apparent.

Conclusion

Resilience partially mediated the effect of peer victimization on QoL in Chongqing adolescents, and PCEs moderated this mediation. Schools, families, and society should focus on resilience intervention and prioritize the enhancement of PCEs for improving adolescent QoL.

Objective Measurements of Physical Function to Predict Survival in Patients with Metastatic Cancer

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Physician-reported performance status (PS) constitutes the established method for stratifying oncologic patients in therapeutic decision-making. Objective measurements of physical function may further refine prognostication.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

In this prospective observational study, 103 patients with metastatic cancer who were referred for systemic therapy initiation were evaluated. PS was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) and five objective physical function measurements (handgrip strength [HGS], chair stand test [CST], timed up and go [TUG] test, 4-m gait speed [GS] test, and short physical performance battery [SPPB] test). Overall survival and treatment complications were recorded from the medical records.

RESULTS

Patients with low PS according to ECOG-PS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84, 7.80), HGS (HR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.55), SPPB (HR: 3.43, 95% CI: 1.55, 7.57), GS (HR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.44, 6.38), and TUG (HR: 5.16, 95% CI: 2.19, 12.14) had shorter overall survival after adjustment for sex, age, symptomatology, comorbidity, percentage of weight loss, and tumor localization.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the studied objective physical function measurements, HGS, SPPB, GS, and TUG were independent predictors of survival in a sample of patients with metastatic cancer, with TUG showing the highest effect size.

Clinician and Patient Reporting of Symptomatic Adverse Events in Cancer Clinical Trials: Using CTCAE and PRO-CTCAE® to Provide Two Distinct and Complementary Perspectives

Inclusion of the patient perspective in the reporting of symptomatic adverse events provides different and complementary information to clinician reporting using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). The National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE^®) is designed for patients to self-report their symptomatic adverse events in a manner that complements CTCAE reporting. Using CTCAE and PRO-CTCAE together offers the potential to refine our understanding of the prevalence and trajectory of lower grade AEs that can lead to elective discontinuation of therapy and diminished quality of life. This review addresses the development of PRO-CTCAE with an emphasis on the differences between PRO-CTCAE scores and CTCAE severity grades. This distinction is important when evaluating, grading and reporting toxicity and tolerability in cancer clinical trials.

Quality of life assessment for rectal cancer patients: A comparison between sphincter preservation and permanent colostomy

"This study aims to compare the quality of life in patients with rectal cancer between sphincter preservation and permanent colostomy. The present study is a cross-sectional study that was performed on 120 patients (60 cases in the sphincter maintenance group and 60 cases in the permanent colostomy group) who underwent surgery from February 2017 to November 2016. Quality of life assessment was provided with QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS23 software. According to the results of the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, there was no statistically significant difference in patients' quality of life in terms of performance in the study groups (P˃0.05). Symptoms such as nausea, pain, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, constipation and economic problems in the study groups were not statistically significant (P˃0.05). But the mean symptoms of fatigue (P=0.038) and diarrhea (P=0.037) were significantly higher in the sphincter maintenance group than the permanent colostomy group. The mean score of patients' quality of life was 53.43 ± 8.40 in the sphincter retention group and 52.23 ± 11.45 in the permanent colostomy group (P = 0.556). According to the results, the quality of life in the two surgical methods of sphincter preservation and permanent colostomy was not statistically significant. Therefore, treatment decisions should be made by informing patients, both based on their preferences and the physician's clinical judgment."

Association between Health-Related Quality of Life and Completion of First-Line Treatment among Lung Cancer Patients

Simple Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate how health-related quality of life at time of diagnosis is associated with the completion of planned first-line oncological treatment among lung cancer patients. Patients with reduced function and patients who reported fatigue, pain, appetite loss, and financial difficulties at time of diagnosis had significantly increased adjusted odds ratios for not completing the planned first-line oncological treatment. Measures of lung cancer patients’ self-reported HRQOL as part of the diagnostic evaluation at time of diagnosis may contribute to the optimization of planned oncological treatment.

Abstract

Experts recommend assessing lung cancer patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the diagnostic evaluation. We investigated the association between HRQOL and completion of first-line treatment among lung cancer patients in a prospective cohort study. Clinical information on lung cancer patients was obtained from medical records, and information on quality of life and lung cancer-related symptoms was obtained through questionnaires at time of diagnosis. We used directed acyclic graphs to identify potential confounders and mediators between HRQOL and completion of first-line treatment. The association between functioning levels and symptoms and completion of first-line oncological treatment was estimated as odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals, in logistic regression models. In all, 137 patients (52% men, mean age: 69 years) participated, out of 216 invited. Patients who reported reduced functioning had significantly increased ORs for not completing first-line treatment: poor physical function (OR 4.44), role function (OR 6.09), emotional function (OR 5.86), and social function (OR 3.13). Patients with fatigue (OR 7.55), pain (OR 6.07), appetite loss (OR 4.66), and financial difficulties (OR 17.23) had significantly increased ORs for not completing the first-line treatment. Reduced functioning and presence of symptoms were associated with not completing first-line treatment. An assessment of HRQOL could potentially aid the diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning for lung cancer patients.

First population norms for the EQ-5D-3L in the Russian Federation

Purpose

The EQ–5D survey instrument is routinely applied to general and patient specific populations in many countries, as a means of measuring Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and/or informing Health Technology Assessment. The instrument is the subject of growing interest in the Russian Federation, as too is Health Technology Assessment. This research is the first to systematically present the EQ–5D–3L nationally representative population norms and to examine the socioeconomic and socio-demographic characteristics of the instrument among a representative sample of the Russian population.

Methods

Based on a nationally representative health and well-being survey of the Russian population, conducted in November 2017, we establish the descriptive results, including the EQ-VAS and the EQ-5D Index, by age and gender, examine the correspondence between the EQ–5D health classifications and the separate EQ-VAS scores, and draw on a set of augmented logistic regressions to evaluate the association between the presence of problems in each dimension and various socio-economic and health-related characteristics.

Results

We find strong evidence that the EQ-5D instrument is sensitive to underlying observed and latent health experiences, that it mirrors many of the characteristics familiar from other settings but that there are Russian specificities which merit further research, particularly with respect to the anxiety/depression dimension of the instrument.

Conclusion

This research represents an important landmark for HRQOL studies in Russia as well as for the prospects of continuing to develop the scholarly and practical infrastructure necessary for Russian Health Technology Assessment to advance.

A Systematic Review of Discrete Choice Experiments in Oncology Treatments

BACKGROUND

As the number and type of cancer treatments available rises and patients live with the consequences of their disease and treatments for longer, understanding preferences for cancer care can help inform decisions about optimal treatment development, access, and care provision. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are commonly used as a tool to elicit stakeholder preferences; however, their implementation in oncology may be challenging if burdensome trade-offs (e.g. length of life versus quality of life) are involved and/or target populations are small.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to characterise DCEs relating to cancer treatments that were conducted between 1990 and March 2020.

DATA SOURCES

EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for relevant studies.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies were included if they implemented a DCE and reported outcomes of interest (i.e. quantitative outputs on participants' preferences for cancer treatments), but were excluded if they were not focused on pharmacological, radiological or surgical treatments (e.g. cancer screening or counselling services), were non-English, or were a secondary analysis of an included study.

ANALYSIS METHODS

Analysis followed a narrative synthesis, and quantitative data were summarised using descriptive statistics, including rankings of attribute importance.

RESULT

Seventy-nine studies were included in the review. The number of published DCEs relating to oncology grew over the review period. Studies were conducted in a range of indications (n = 19), most commonly breast (n =10, 13%) and prostate (n = 9, 11%) cancer, and most studies elicited preferences of patients (n = 59, 75%). Across reviewed studies, survival attributes were commonly ranked as most important, with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) ranked most important in 58% and 28% of models, respectively. Preferences varied between stakeholder groups, with patients and clinicians placing greater importance on survival outcomes, and general population samples valuing health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite the emphasis of guidelines on the importance of using qualitative research to inform attribute selection and DCE designs, reporting on instrument development was mixed.

LIMITATIONS

No formal assessment of bias was conducted, with the scope of the paper instead providing a descriptive characterisation. The review only included DCEs relating to cancer treatments, and no insight is provided into other health technologies such as cancer screening. Only DCEs were included.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Although there was variation in attribute importance between responder types, survival attributes were consistently ranked as important by both patients and clinicians. Observed challenges included the risk of attribute dominance for survival outcomes, limited sample sizes in some indications, and a lack of reporting about instrument development processes.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020184232.

Quality of life assessment in renal cell carcinoma Phase II and III clinical trials published between 2010 and 2020: a systematic review

Aims: Quality of life (QoL) assessment is frequently not included among the end points of clinical trials (CTs) on renal cell carcinoma. Herein we aimed to describe the assessment and reporting of QoL in Phase II and Phase III CTs published between 2010 and 2020. Methods: A total of 25 CTs were included; 76% of trials included were conducted in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients, while 20% of studies evaluated adjuvant systemic treatments. Results: In 13/25 publications, QoL was not listed among the end points, with secondary publications dedicated to QoL present in a minority of cases. Conclusions: QoL was not included among the end points of a large percentage of CTs. Implementing the inclusion of QoL represents an urgent need.

Investigating the Mediatory Role of Hope and Shame in the Relationship between Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer

Objective  Patients suffering from cancer need to receive care from their family; however, their family caregivers do this without preparation or training, so their involvement in patients’ care results in a caregiving burden that may affect patient’s hope and quality of life (QOL).

Methods  This study examines the effect of caregiving burden on the QOL of cancer patients ( n = 100) with the mediatory role of hope and shame. To achieve this, Persian versions of Zarit Burden Interview, the World Health Organization QOL, Herth Hope Index, and Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale were used. Meanwhile, path regression analysis was implemented to analyze the relationship between caregiving burden and QOL.

Results  The results implied a relation among caregiver burden, hope, and QOL of patients diagnosed with cancer. It was found that there is a direct and negative relationship between caregiver burden and hope. In addition, there was an indirect and positive relationship between caregiver burden and QOL. Hope and QOL also had a high correlation. Besides, it was shown that there was a negative relationship between the shame experienced by patients and their hope and QOL.

Conclusion caregiver burden was proved to be influential and negatively affected the factor for the QOL. Besides, patients’ hope decreases while caregiving burden increases; this will in turn affect patients’ recovery and their physical, mental, and cognitive functions. This study provides a foundation for future research in this critical area for oncology.

M. D. Anderson symptom inventory head neck (MDASI-HN) questionnaire: Italian language psychometric validation in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy ± systemic therapy - A study of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO)

PURPOSE

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are likely to develop severe side effects, which may persist long after the end of treatment and may be responsible for decrease patient's quality of life. The M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory- Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) is a questionnaire developed to detect patient's symptom burden. To conduct an Italian language psychometric validation of MDASI-HN among Italian HNC patients on behalf of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) Head and Neck Working Group.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

To assess construct validity, it was performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with both a five-factor solution and three-factor solution, which were compared by a chi-square difference test. The concurrent validity was evaluated by the correlation with EORTC QLQ-C30 and HN35, and it was also assessed known-group validity. The internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient.

RESULTS

In total 166 patients (71.7% male) were included in the study, most of patients (56.2%) had an oropharynx cancer and received definitive chemoradiotherapy (51.2%). The chi-square difference test was significant and indicated that the five-factor solution fits the data better than the other one. Regarding CFA, all items had a significant saturation with their respective factors; besides, significant and strong correlations were found among factors. Most of the correlations between MDASI-HN factors and EORTC QLQ-C30 and HN35 were significant. It was found a good internal consistency.

CONCLUSION

The MDASI-HN is a valid, short, and easy patient-reported outcome questionnaire which would be useful and efficient in clinical setting.

Improvement in Patient-Reported Outcomes With Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (RT) Compared With Standard RT: A Report From the NRG Oncology RTOG 1203 Study

PURPOSE

In oncology trials, the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is the standard tool for reporting adverse events (AEs), but it may underreport symptoms experienced by patients. This analysis of the NRG Oncology RTOG 1203 compared symptom reporting by patients and clinicians during radiotherapy (RT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with cervical or endometrial cancer requiring postoperative RT were randomly assigned to standard 4-field RT or intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). Patients completed the 6-item patient-reported outcomes version of the CTCAE (PRO-CTCAE) for GI toxicity assessing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence at various time points. Patients reported symptoms on a 5-point scale. Clinicians recorded these AEs as CTCAE grades 1 to 5. Clinician- and patient-reported AEs were compared using McNemar's test for rates > 0%.

RESULTS

Of 278 eligible patients, 234 consented and completed the PRO-CTCAE. Patients reported high-grade abdominal pain 19.1% (P < .0001), high-grade diarrhea 38.5% (P < .0001), and fecal incontinence 6.8% more frequently than clinicians. Similar effects were seen between grade ≥ 1 CTCAE toxicity and any-grade patient-reported toxicity. Between-arm comparison of patient-reported high-grade AEs revealed that at 5 weeks of RT, patients who received IMRT experienced fewer GI AEs than patients who received 4-field pelvic RT with regard to frequency of diarrhea (18.2% difference; P = .01), frequency of fecal incontinence (8.2% difference; P = .01), and interference of fecal incontinence (8.5% difference; P = .04).

CONCLUSION

Patient-reported AEs showed a reduction in symptoms with IMRT compared with standard RT, whereas clinician-reported AEs revealed no difference. Clinicians also underreported symptomatic GI AEs compared with patients. This suggests that patient-reported symptomatic AEs are important to assess in this disease setting.

Health-Related Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery/HIPEC for Mucinous Appendiceal Cancer: Results of a Multicenter Randomized Trial Comparing Oxaliplatin and Mitomycin

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using patient-reported outcomes in subjects with mucinous appendiceal neoplasms who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) as part of a randomized trial comparing mitomycin with oxaliplatin.

METHODS

In this prospective multicenter study, 121 mucinous appendiceal cancer patients, with evidence of peritoneal dissemination who underwent CRS, were randomized to receive mitomycin (divided 40 mg) or oxaliplatin (200 mg/m²) for HIPEC. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Neurotoxicity (FACT-G/NTX) questionnaire was utilized to assess HRQOL. The Trial Outcome Index (TOI) is a summary index responsive to changes in physical/functional outcomes. Repeated measures mixed models with an unstructured variance matrix were applied to assess changes in HRQOL longitudinally.

RESULTS

Baseline questionnaire compliance was 95.9%. Baseline physical well-being (PWB) was independently associated with overall survival (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.66-0.96; p = 0.017). The TOI was significantly lower in the mitomycin group compared with the oxaliplatin arm at 12 weeks (p = 0.044; score difference 6.35) and 24 weeks after surgery (p = 0.049; score difference 5.61). At 12 weeks after surgery, declines from baseline were significant in the TOI (p = 0.004; score decline 8.99), PWB (p < 0.001; score decline 2.83), and FWB (p < 0.001; score decline 3.42) in the mitomycin group but not the oxaliplatin group.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with mitomycin, HIPEC perfusion with oxaliplatin results in significantly better physical and functional outcomes. With similar survival outcomes and complication rates, oxaliplatin should be considered as the chemoperfusion agent of choice in mucinous appendiceal cancer patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC.

Quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer after prophylactic percutaneous-gastrostomy

BACKGROUND

HNC patients often experience weight loss during treatment. To date, there is only limited data on patient quality of life (QLQ) and subjective benefit of the PEG insertion.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the nutritional status, QLQ, and overall benefit.

METHODS

181 patients fitting our inclusion criteria (01/2012-12/2012) were enrolled. Utilization rate, nutritional status, QLQ, and subjective PEG assessment were determined with electronic charts and the Quality of life-questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30).

RESULTS

The utilization rate of the entire cohort was 91.7%. The PEG was used full-time by 149 patients. No statistical differences in QLQ were observed between the groups. Of the patients that used the PEG entirely (99.7%), partially (85.3%) or not all (55.3%) would 99.7%, 85.3 and 55.8% undergo the procedure in the future if necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

QLQ was not significantly reduced by insertion. Especially patients using the PEG full-time had an objective and subjective benefit from the inserted PEG tube.

Biopsychosocial Correlates of Adjustment to Cancer during Chemotherapy: The Key Role of Health-Related Quality of Life

Background

Patients adjust to cancer in a continuous process that follows the course of the disease. Previous research has considered several illness-related variables and demographics, quality of life, personality, and social factors as predictors of adjustment to cancer, which can be maladaptive (e.g., helplessness-hopelessness and anxious preoccupation) or adaptive (e.g., fighting spirit).

Aims

Assuming a biopsychosocial view, we test an empirical model in which disease stage, patient's age, and gender are viewed as the distal antecedents of positive and negative adjustment to cancer for chemotherapy patients. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has a key role, interposing between the distal antecedents and adaptational outcomes. Social support and positive thinking are also included in the model as related to adjustment.

Methods

One-hundred-sixty-two consecutive cancer patients receiving adjuvant or standard chemotherapy participated in the study. Patients completed the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer, the Brief-COPE, the Social Provision Scale, and the SF-12 Health Survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied for model building and hypotheses testing.

Results

We found a negative association between advanced stage and physical functioning, a strong positive link between physical functioning and mental health, and significant relations between mental health and helpless-hopelessness, anxious preoccupation, and cognitive avoidance. Social support and positive thinking were related to fighting spirit and fatalism. Cancer stage and female gender were indirectly associated with adaptational outcomes through HRQoL. The patient's age had no significant relationships in the model.

Discussion

HRQoL (both physical and mental) is a key factor for preventing maladjustment in chemotherapy patients. Social support and positive thinking coping style fosters fighting spirit and fatalism on health outcomes. Two potential lines of action seem promising: preventing maladaptive and promoting adaptive adjustments working on patient's mental health individually and involving significant others in supportive care, respectively.

Exploratory Study of Dimensions of Health-related Quality of Life in the General Population of South Korea

Objectives

This study aimed to explore dimensions in addition to the 5 dimensions of the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L) that could satisfactorily explain variation in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general population of South Korea.

Methods

Domains related to HRQoL were searched through a review of existing HRQoL instruments. Among the 28 potential dimensions, the 5 dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L and 7 additional dimensions (vision, hearing, communication, cognitive function, social relationships, vitality, and sleep) were included. A representative sample of 600 subjects was selected for the survey, which was administered through face-to-face interviews. Subjects were asked to report problems in 12 health dimensions at 5 levels, as well as their self-rated health status using the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) and a 5-point Likert scale. Among subjects who reported no problems for any of the parameters in the EQ-5D-5L, we analyzed the frequencies of problems in the additional dimensions. A linear regression model with the EQ-VAS as the dependent variable was performed to identify additional significant dimensions.

Results

Among respondents who reported full health on the EQ-5D-5L (n=365), 32% reported a problem for at least 1 additional dimension, and 14% reported worse than moderate self-rated health. Regression analysis revealed a R² of 0.228 for the original EQ-5D-5L dimensions, 0.200 for the new dimensions, and 0.263 for the 12 dimensions together. Among the added dimensions, vitality and sleep were significantly associated with EQ-VAS scores.

Conclusions

This study identified significant dimensions for assessing self-rated health among members of the general public, in addition to the 5 dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L. These dimensions could be considered for inclusion in a new preference-based instrument or for developing a country-specific HRQoL instrument.

The impact of quality-of-life data in relative effectiveness assessments of new anti-cancer drugs in European countries

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of health-related quality-of-life (QoL) data in relative effectiveness assessments (REAs) of new anti-cancer drugs across European jurisdictions, during health technology assessment procedures.

METHODS

Comparative analysis of guidelines and publicly available REAs in six European jurisdictions of anti-cancer drugs approved by EMA between 2011 and 2013.

RESULTS

Fourteen anti-cancer drugs were included, adding up to 79 REAs. Whilst all guidelines state that QoL is a relevant endpoint to determine the relative effectiveness of new cancer drugs, QoL data were included in only 54% of the 79 reports and their impact on the recommendations was limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst national guidelines recognize the relevance of QoL to determine the relative effectiveness of new anti-cancer drugs, this is not well-reflected in current assessments. Developing and implementing into REAs specific evidence requirements for QoL data would improve the use of this patient-centred outcome in future reimbursement and pricing decisions.

Development and feasibility of a web-based question prompt sheet to support information provision of health-related quality of life topics after oesophageal cancer surgery

We developed a web-based question prompt sheet (QPS) to support information provision of health-related quality of life (HRQL) topics after oesophageal cancer surgery. The QPS was evaluated and updated in three consecutive studies. In Study 1, eight patients were guided in using the QPS. Feasibility was assessed by cognitive walkthrough, questionnaire and interview. We obtained 430 notes (217 negative, 213 positive) of patients' actions and or remarks, and 91 suggestions. With minor support, most patients were able to use the QPS. In Study 2, forty patients independently used and appraised a modified version of the QPS by questionnaire. All patients deemed the QPS to be usable and useful. In Study 3, 21 patients and three surgeons used the QPS in clinical practice. Clinical feasibility was assessed by the number of QPS sent to the researcher/surgeon. Patients and surgeons were surveyed and the follow-up consultation was audio-recorded. Surgeons were additionally interviewed. Twenty/fourteen patients sent their QPS to the researcher/surgeon. Five QPSs were read by the consultation surgeon. Patients considered the QPS usable and useful. Surgeons considered the QPS of added value and helpful in informing patients, but currently not clinically feasible due to increased consultation time.

Quality-of-Life Evaluation After Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery (CS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal metastases can alleviate symptoms and prolong survival at the expense of morbidity and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to monitor QoL and outcomes before and after HIPEC.

METHODS

A prospective QoL trial of patients who underwent HIPEC for peritoneal metastases from 2000 to 2015 was conducted. The patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy + Colon Subscale (FACT-C), the Brief Pain Inventory, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status at baseline, then 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after HIPEC. The trial outcome index (TOI) was analyzed. Proportional hazards modeled the effect of baseline QoL on survival.

RESULTS

The 598 patients (53.8 % female) in the study had a mean age of 53.3 years. The overall 1-year survival rate was 76.8 %, and the median survival period was 2.9 years. The findings showed a minor morbidity rate of 29.3 %, a major morbidity rate of 21.7 %, and a 30-day mortality rate of 3.5 %. The BPI (p < 0.0001) and worst pain (p = 0.004) increased at 3 months but returned to baseline at 6 months. After CS + HIPEC, FACT-C emotional well-being, SF-36 mental component score, and emotional health improved (all p < 0.001). Higher baseline FACT-General (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.96), FACT-C (HR, 0.73; 95 % CI 0.65-0.83), physical well-being (HR, 0.71; 95 % CI 0.64-0.78), TOI (HR, 0.87; 95 % CI 0.84-0.91), and SF-36 vitality (HR, 0.88; 95 % CI 0.83-0.92) were associated with improved survival (all p < 0.001). Higher baseline BPI (HR, 1.1; 95 % CI 1.05-1.14; p < 0.0001), worst pain (HR, 1.06; 95 % CI 1.01-1.10; p = 0.01), and ECOG (HR, 1.74; 95 % CI 1.50-2.01; p < 0.0001) were associated with worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Although HIPEC is associated with morbidity and detriments to QoL, recovery with good overall QoL typically occurs at or before 6 months. Baseline QoL is associated with morbidity, mortality, and survival after HIPEC.

Gender Differences in Predictors of Quality of Life at the Initiation of Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To evaluate gender differences in quality of life (QOL), demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics.


DESIGN

Prospective, observational.


SETTING

Two radiation oncology departments in northern California.


SAMPLE

185 patients before initiation of radiation therapy (RT).


METHODS

At their RT simulation visit, patients completed a demographic questionnaire, a measure of QOL, and symptom-specific scales. Backward elimination regression analyses were conducted to determine the significant predictors of QOL
.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

QOL, gender, and 20 potential predictors
.

FINDINGS

In women, depressive symptoms, functional status, age, and having children at home explained 64% of the variance in QOL. In men, depressive symptoms, state anxiety, number of comorbidities, being a member of a racial or ethnic minority, and age explained 70% of the variance in QOL
.

CONCLUSIONS

Predictors of QOL differed by gender. Depressive symptom score was the greatest contributor to QOL in both genders.
.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurses need to assess for QOL and depression at the initiation of RT. Knowledge of the different predictors of QOL may be useful in the design of gender-specific interventions to improve QOL.

Challenges in translating endpoints from trials to observational cohort studies in oncology

Clinical trials are considered the gold standard for examining drug efficacy and for approval of new drugs. Medical databases and population surveillance registries are valuable resources for post-approval observational research, which are increasingly used in studies of benefits and risk of new cancer drugs. Here, we address the challenges in translating endpoints from oncology trials to observational studies. Registry-based cohort studies can investigate real-world safety issues – including previously unrecognized concerns – by examining rare endpoints or multiple endpoints at once. In contrast to clinical trials, observational cohort studies typically do not exclude real-world patients from clinical practice, such as old and frail patients with comorbidity. The observational cohort study complements the clinical trial by examining the effectiveness of interventions applied in clinical practice and by providing evidence on long-term clinical outcomes, which are often not feasible to study in a clinical trial. Various endpoints can be included in clinical trials, such as hard endpoints, soft endpoints, surrogate endpoints, and patient-reported endpoints. Each endpoint has it strengths and limitations for use in research studies. Endpoints used in oncology trials are often not applicable in observational cohort studies which are limited by the setting of standard clinical practice and by non-standardized endpoint determination. Observational studies can be more helpful moving research forward if they restrict focus to appropriate and valid endpoints.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Needs Based Biopsychosocial Distress Instrument for Cancer Patients (CANDI)

Background

Needs based biopsychosocial distress instrument for cancer patients (CANDI) is a scale based on needs arising due to the effects of cancer.

Objectives

The aim of this research was to determine the reliability and validity of the CANDI scale in the Turkish language.

Patients and Methods

The study was performed with the participation of 172 cancer patients aged 18 and over. Factor analysis (principal components analysis) was used to assess construct validity. Criterion validities were tested by computing Spearman correlation between CANDI and hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS), and brief symptom inventory (BSI) (convergent validity) and quality of life scales (FACT-G) (divergent validity). Test-retest reliabilities and internal consistencies were measured with intraclass correlation (ICC) and Cronbach-α.

Results

A three-factor solution (emotional, physical and social) was found with factor analysis. Internal reliability (α = 0.94) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87) were significantly high. Correlations between CANDI and HADS (rs = 0.67), and BSI (rs = 0.69) and FACT-G (rs = -0.76) were moderate and significant in the expected direction.

Conclusions

CANDI is a valid and reliable scale in cancer patients with a three-factor structure (emotional, physical and social) in the Turkish language.

Factors influencing health-related quality of life among Korean cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

Early cancer detection and remarkable improvements in cancer treatment have seen the cancer survival rate grow steadily for the past 40 years. Despite expectations regarding treatment effectiveness, acceptable quality of life, and a comfortable death, patients with cancer generally have a decreased quality of life. The study aim was to examine the factors influencing health-related quality of life among South Korean cancer survivors for future development of an intervention to enhance their survivorship.

METHODS

Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012 data regarding 1020 cancer survivors were used for analysis. Health-related quality of life was measured using the EuroQol 5-Dimension.

RESULTS

The factors influencing health-related quality of life were age, educational status, employment status, income, smoking, time since diagnosis, subjective health status, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual-centered clinical interventions that consider dimensional-influencing factors, including subjective health status, are needed to improve cancer survivors' health-related quality of life. Subsequent systematic studies are needed regarding dimension-specific differences according to cancer types and time since diagnosis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Population-Based Sample of Cancer Patients

Health-related quality of life is an important outcome in cancer care. A few studies indicate that health literacy influences cancer patients' health-related quality of life, but additional investigation is needed. The authors examined the relation between health literacy and health-related quality of life among cancer patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with cancer patients in Wisconsin during 2006-2007. Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life, and health literacy were obtained from the state's cancer registry and a mailed questionnaire. Regression analyses were used to characterize the association between health-related quality of life and health literacy. The study sample included 1,841 adults, newly diagnosed with lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer in 2004 (response rate = 68%). Health-related quality of life was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Adjusting for confounders, higher health literacy was associated with greater health-related quality of life (p < .0001). Controlling for covariates, we found significant differences between those in the highest and lowest health literacy categories (p < .0001) and in the physical (p < .0001), functional (p < .0001), emotional (p < .0001), and social (p = .0007) well-being subscales. These associations exceeded the minimally important difference threshold for overall health-related quality of life and functional well-being. Health literacy is positively and independently associated with health-related quality of life among cancer patients. These findings support adoption of health literacy best practices by cancer care systems.

Evidence of associations between cytokine gene polymorphisms and quality of life in patients with cancer and their family caregivers

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To identify latent classes of individuals with distinct quality-of-life (QOL) trajectories, to evaluate for differences in demographic characteristics between the latent classes, and to evaluate for variations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes between the latent classes.

DESIGN

Descriptive, longitudinal study.

SETTING

Two radiation therapy departments located in a comprehensive cancer center and a community-based oncology program in northern California.

SAMPLE

168 outpatients with prostate, breast, brain, or lung cancer and 85 of their family caregivers (FCs).

METHODS

Growth mixture modeling (GMM) was employed to identify latent classes of individuals based on QOL scores measured prior to, during, and for four months following completion of radiation therapy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in 16 candidate cytokine genes were tested between the latent classes. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationships among genotypic and phenotypic characteristics and QOL GMM group membership.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

QOL latent class membership and variations in cytokine genes.

FINDINGS

Two latent QOL classes were found: higher and lower. Patients and FCs who were younger, identified with an ethnic minority group, had poorer functional status, or had children living at home were more likely to belong to the lower QOL class. After controlling for significant covariates, between-group differences were found in SNPs in interleukin 1 receptor 2 (IL1R2) and nuclear factor kappa beta 2 (NFKB2). For IL1R2, carrying one or two doses of the rare C allele was associated with decreased odds of belonging to the lower QOL class. For NFKB2, carriers with two doses of the rare G allele were more likely to belong to the lower QOL class.

CONCLUSIONS

Unique genetic markers in cytokine genes may partially explain interindividual variability in QOL.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Determination of high-risk characteristics and unique genetic markers would allow for earlier identification of patients with cancer and FCs at higher risk for poorer QOL. Knowledge of these risk factors could assist in the development of more targeted clinical or supportive care interventions for those identified.

Outcomes and endpoints in trials of cancer treatment: the past, present, and future

Cancer treatment should allow patients to live better or longer lives, and ideally, both. Trial endpoints should show clinically meaningful improvements in patient survival or quality of life. Alternative endpoints such as progression-free survival, disease-free survival, and objective response rate have been used to identify benefit earlier, but their true validity as surrogate endpoints is controversial. In this Review we discuss the measurement, assessment, and benefits and limitations of trial endpoints in use for cancer treatment. Many stakeholders are affected, including regulatory agencies, industry partners, clinicians, and most importantly, patients. In an accompanying Review, reflections from individual stakeholders are incorporated into a discussion of what the future holds for clinical trial endpoints and design.

Health-related quality of life in older adult survivors of selected cancers: data from the SEER-MHOS linkage

BACKGROUND

Research on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older adult cancer survivors is mostly confined to breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer, which account for 63% of all prevalent cancers. Much less is known about HRQOL in the context of less common cancer sites.

METHODS

HRQOL was examined with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, version 1, and the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey in patients with selected cancers (kidney cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer, cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, melanoma, chronic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma) and in individuals without cancer on the basis of data linked from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry system and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. Scale scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, and a utility metric (Short Form 6D/Veterans RAND 6D), adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and other chronic conditions, were calculated. A 3-point difference in the scale scores and a 2-point difference in the PCS and MCS scores were considered to be minimally important differences.

RESULTS

Data from 16,095 cancer survivors and 1,224,549 individuals without a history of cancer were included. The results indicated noteworthy deficits in physical health status. Mental health was comparable, although scores for the Role-Emotional and Social Functioning scales were worse for patients with most types of cancer versus those without cancer. Survivors of multiple myeloma and pancreatic malignancies reported the lowest scores, with their PCS/MCS scores less than those of individuals without cancer by 3 or more points.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQOL surveillance efforts revealed poor health outcomes among many older adults and specifically among survivors of multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer.

Delphi survey to identify topics to be addressed at the initial follow-up consultation after oesophageal cancer surgery

Background

There is no consensus among patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the topics that need to be addressed after oesophageal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to identify these topics, using a two-round Delphi survey.

Methods

In round 1, patients and HCPs (surgeons, dieticians, nurses) were invited to rate the importance of 49 topics. The proportion of panellists that considered a topic to be of low, moderate or high importance was then calculated for each of these two groups. Based on these proportions and the i.q.r., topics were categorized as: ‘consensus to be included’, ‘consensus to be excluded’ and ‘no consensus’. Only topics in the first category were included in the second round. In round 2, panellists were provided with individual and group feedback. To be included in the final list, topics had to meet criteria for consensus and stability.

Results

There were 108 patients and 77 HCPs in the round 2 analyses. In general, patients and HCPs considered the same topics important. The final list included 23 topics and revealed that it was most important to address: cancer removed/lymph nodes, the new oesophagus, eating and drinking, surgery, alarming new complaints and the recovery period.

Conclusion

The study provides surgeons with a list of topics selected by patients and HCPs that may be addressed systematically at the initial follow-up consultation after oesophageal cancer surgery.

Charged particle therapy versus photon therapy for paranasal sinus and nasal cavity malignant diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Malignant tumours arising within the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare and composed of several histological types, rendering controlled clinical trials to establish the best treatment impractical. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of patients treated with charged particle therapy with those of individuals receiving photon therapy.

METHODS

We identified studies of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus tumours through searches of databases including Embase, Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration. We included treatment-naive cohorts (both primary and adjuvant radiation therapy) and those with recurrent disease. Primary outcomes of interest were overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional control, at 5 years and at longest follow-up. We used random-effect models to pool outcomes across studies and compared event rates of combined outcomes for charged particle therapy and photon therapy using an interaction test.

FINDINGS

43 cohorts from 41 non-comparative observational studies were included. Median follow-up for the charged particle therapy group was 38 months (range 5-73) and for the photon therapy group was 40 months (14-97). Pooled overall survival was significantly higher at 5 years for charged particle therapy than for photon therapy (relative risk 1·51, 95% CI 1·14-1·99; p=0·0038) and at longest follow-up (1·27, 1·01-1·59; p=0·037). At 5 years, disease-free survival was significantly higher for charged particle therapy than for photon therapy (1·93, 1·36-2·75, p=0·0003) but, at longest follow-up, this event rate did not differ between groups (1·51, 1·00-2·30; p=0·052). Locoregional control did not differ between treatment groups at 5 years (1·06, 0·68-1·67; p=0·79) but it was higher for charged particle therapy than for photon therapy at longest follow-up (1·18, 1·01-1·37; p=0·031). A subgroup analysis comparing proton beam therapy with intensity-modulated radiation therapy showed significantly higher disease-free survival at 5 years (relative risk 1·44, 95% CI 1·01-2·05; p=0·045) and locoregional control at longest follow-up (1·26, 1·05-1·51; p=0·011).

INTERPRETATION

Compared with photon therapy, charged particle therapy could be associated with better outcomes for patients with malignant diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Prospective studies emphasising collection of patient-reported and functional outcomes are strongly encouraged.

FUNDING

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Meta-analysis shows clinically relevant and long-lasting deterioration in health-related quality of life after esophageal cancer surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to (1) estimate the direction, clinical relevance, and duration of health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) change in the first year following esophageal cancer surgery and (2) to assess the robustness of the estimates by subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and an exploration of publication bias.

METHODS

A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL to identify randomized and non-randomized studies was performed. We compared the baseline HRQL data with 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-month follow-ups to estimate the magnitude and duration of HRQL change. These estimates were then classified as trivial, small, medium, or large. Primary outcomes were role functioning, eating, and fatigue. Secondary outcomes were physical and social functioning, dysphagia, pain, and coughing problems. We conducted subgroup analysis for open surgery, open surgery preceded by neoadjuvant therapy, and minimally invasive surgery. Sensitivity analyses assessed the influence of study design, transformation/imputation of the data, and HRQL questionnaire used.

RESULTS

We included the data from 15 studies to estimate the change in 28 HRQL outcomes after esophageal cancer surgery. The main analysis showed that patients' social functioning deteriorated. Symptoms of fatigue, pain, and coughing problems increased. These changes lasted for 9-12 months, although some symptoms persisted beyond the first year after surgery. For many other HRQL outcomes, estimates were only robust after subgroup or sensitivity analyses (e.g., role and physical functioning), or remained too heterogeneous to interpret (e.g., eating and dysphagia).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients will experience a clinically relevant and long-lasting deterioration in HRQL after esophageal cancer surgery. However, for many HRQL outcomes, more and better quality evidence is needed.

Physical activity and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: the role of self-efficacy and health status

OBJECTIVE

Mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical activity and quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors are not well understood. The purpose of the present study was to longitudinally test a model examining self-efficacy and health status as potential mediators of this relationship.

METHODS

At baseline and 6 months, breast cancer survivors (n = 1527) completed physical activity, self-efficacy, health status, and QOL measures, and a subsample (n = 370) wore an accelerometer. Panel analysis within a covariance modeling framework was used to test the hypothesis that physical activity indirectly influences QOL across time.

RESULTS

The hypothesized model provided a good fit in the full sample (χ(2)  = 409.06; d.f. = 91, p < 0.001; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.98; standardized root mean residual (SRMR) = 0.04) and the accelerometer subsample (χ(2)  = 320.96, d.f. = 134, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.05), indicating that physical activity indirectly, via self-efficacy and health status indicators, influences QOL across time.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity may influence QOL in breast cancer survivors through more proximal, modifiable factors.

Meta-analysis shows clinically relevant and long-lasting deterioration in health-related quality of life after esophageal cancer surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to (1) estimate the direction, clinical relevance, and duration of health-related quality of life (HRQL) change in the first year following esophageal cancer surgery and (2) to assess the robustness of the estimates by subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and an exploration of publication bias.

METHODS

A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL to identify randomized and non-randomized studies was performed. We compared the baseline HRQL data with 3-, 6-, 9-, or 12-month follow-ups to estimate the magnitude and duration of HRQL change. These estimates were then classified as trivial, small, medium, or large. Primary outcomes were role functioning, eating, and fatigue. Secondary outcomes were physical and social functioning, dysphagia, pain, and coughing problems. We conducted subgroup analysis for open surgery, open surgery preceded by neo-adjuvant therapy, and minimally invasive surgery. Sensitivity analyses assessed the influence of study design, transformation/imputation of the data, and HRQL questionnaire used.

RESULTS

We included data from 15 studies to estimate the change in 28 HRQL outcomes after esophageal cancer surgery. The main analysis showed that patients' social functioning deteriorated. Symptoms of fatigue, pain, and coughing problems increased. These changes lasted for 9-12 months, although some symptoms persisted beyond the first year after surgery. For many other HRQL outcomes, estimates were only robust after subgroup or sensitivity analyses (e.g., role and physical functioning), or remained too heterogeneous to interpret (e.g., eating and dysphagia).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients will experience a clinically relevant and long-lasting deterioration in HRQL after esophageal cancer surgery. However, for many HRQL outcomes, more and better quality evidence is needed.

Predicting postoperative morbidity following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CS+HIPEC) with preoperative FACT-C (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy) and patient-rated performance status

BACKGROUND

Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CS+HIPEC) is associated with significant perioperative morbidity. One goal of our ongoing patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) program is to describe the prognostic value of HRQoL measures for predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality following CS+HIPEC.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected clinical database for all patients treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis and who participated in our patient-reported HRQoL program from 2001 to 2011 was done. Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire plus the colon symptom subscale, in addition to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status rating prior to CS+HIPEC. The trial outcome index (TOI), a specific measure of function, symptoms, and physical well being of the patient, was analyzed. The TOI is a combination of the physical and functional well being subscales + the colon-specific subscale of the FACT-C.

RESULTS

Of 855 patients, 387 (45.2 %) participated in the HRQoL trials. Mean age was 53.3 years, and 213 (55 %) were female versus 174 (45 %) males. There were 240 patients (62 %) who had a complication versus 147 (38 %) who had no complication. A 30-day mortality rate of 7.7 % (30) was documented. Patients who suffered a 30-day postoperative mortality demonstrated a lower mean preoperative score in the FACT-C TOI 52.7 versus 61.7; P < 0.001. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality on multivariate analysis included TOI (0.05), age (0.001), and smoking (0.001). Patients with a higher TOI score were less likely to suffer a mortality (95 % CI 0.9-1.0, P = 0.05). Patients with a higher emotional well being (EWB) score were less likely to suffer a complication 0.9 (95 % CI 0.87-1.0, P = 0.04). Other independent predictors of postoperative morbidity included diabetic status (P = 0.05), ECOG performance status (0.001), and gender (0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative HRQoL, as measured by FACT-C and ECOG performance status and added to traditional factors, helps predict postoperative morbidity and mortality following CS+HIPEC.

Association of health-related quality of life with gender in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

PURPOSE

This analysis examined associations between gender and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as they initiate therapy for CLL outside the clinical trial setting.

METHODS

Baseline data were collected as part of Connect® CLL Registry, a prospective observational study initiated in community, academic, and government centers. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were provided by clinicians. Patients reported HRQOL using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), EQ-5D, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu). Mean scores were analyzed, with statistical significance of differences determined by ANOVA. Multivariate analysis also considered age and line of therapy.

RESULTS

Baseline HRQOL data were available for 1,140 patients: 710 (62 %) men and 430 (38 %) women from 161 centers. Patients were predominantly white (89 %) with mean age 69 ± 11 years. Women reported significantly worse global fatigue (P <0.0001), fatigue severity (P <0.0001), and fatigue-related interference (P = 0.0005) versus men (BFI). Pain/discomfort (P = 0.0077), usual activities (P = 0.0015), and anxiety/depression (P = 0.0117) were significantly worse in women than in men (EQ-5D). With women reporting a better social/family score (P = 0.0238) and men reporting a better physical score (P = 0.0002), the mean FACT-G total score did not differ by gender. However, the mean FACT-Leu total score was better among men versus women (P = 0.0223), primarily because the mean leukemia subscale score was significantly better among men (P <0.0001). Multivariate analysis qualitatively confirmed these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Connect® CLL Registry results indicate that significant differences exist in certain HRQOL domains, as women reported greater levels of fatigue and worse functioning in physical domains.

Changes in health-related quality of life by occupational status among women diagnosed with breast cancer--a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether longitudinal changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer patients vary by prediagnosis occupational status or postdiagnosis changes in working time.

METHODS

We identified 1573 patients in the Breast Cancer Quality Register of Central Sweden and asked them to participate in a longitudinal questionnaire study. A total of n = 841 women completed three questionnaires within a mean time of 4, 16, and 38 months postdiagnosis. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine changes in European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire subscales stratified by prediagnosis occupational status and postdiagnosis changes in working time.

RESULTS

Over time, the proportion of employed women reporting good functioning increased more, and the proportion reporting a high level of symptoms decreased more compared with women on sick leave/disability pension and retirement pensioners (p < 0.001). The latter two also showed a worsening in several subscales (p < 0.05). Among employed women, more consistent improvements in role and social functioning were observed among those with an increase/no change in working time than among those who had decreased it or stopped working (p < 0.05). A decrease in the proportion reporting pain was observed among women with an increase/no change in working time compared with women with decreased working time, among whom the proportion reporting pain increased (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Being employed prediagnosis and resuming work to the same extent as prior to the breast cancer diagnosis are associated with consistent improvements in HRQoL. These results highlight the importance of interventions to improve HRQoL and policies to support return to work following diagnosis.

Changes in biologic markers of oxidative stress and plasma endotoxin levels in gynecologic cancer patients treated with pelvic radiotherapy: a pilot study

Objective

We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the effects of pelvic radiotherapy on biologic markers of oxidative stress and plasma endotoxin levels, and to assess the relationship between the changes of such factors and radiotherapy-related complications.

Methods

Twelve gynecologic cancer patients who were treated via pelvic radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Biologic markers of oxidative stress, such as glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), as well as endotoxin levels, were measured weekly during treatment. Subjective symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 at the baseline and on the 5th week of radiotherapy.

Results

No changes were noted in the level of GSH in whole blood, but the GSH/GSSG ratio was reduced dramatically after the initiation of radiotherapy. The mean plasma endotoxin for all patients tended to increase and persisted during radiotherapy, and the number of patients who evidenced clinically significant endotoxin levels (defined as >0.005 EU/mL) also increased. Nausea/vomiting and diarrhea were significantly changed (p=0.019 and p<0.001, respectively). A significant relationship was noted to exist between the changes in the endotoxin level and nausea/vomiting (p=0.001). However, such symptoms did not correlate with the changes of oxidative stress markers.

Conclusion

Pelvic radiotherapy oxidized the GSH redox system and increased plasma endotoxin. Further investigations containing interventional and longitudinal studies will be required to assess the effects of the changes in oxidative stress markers and endotoxin on radiotherapy-related adverse events.

A systematic review of head and neck cancer quality of life assessment instruments

Although quality of life (QOL) is an important treatment outcome in head and neck cancer (HNC), cross-study comparisons have been hampered by the heterogeneity of measures used and the fact that reviews of HNC QOL instruments have not been comprehensive to date. We performed a systematic review of the published literature on HNC QOL instruments from 1990 to 2010, categorized, and reviewed the properties of the instruments using international guidelines as reference. Of the 2766 articles retrieved, 710 met the inclusion criteria and used 57 different head and neck-specific instruments to assess QOL. A review of the properties of these utilized measures and identification of areas in need of further research is presented. Given the volume and heterogeneity of QOL measures, there is no gold standard questionnaire. Therefore, when selecting instruments, researchers should consider not only psychometric properties but also research objectives, study design, and the pitfalls and benefits of combining different measures. Although great strides have been made in the assessment of QOL in HNC and researchers now have a plethora of quality instruments to choose from, more work is needed to improve the clinical utility of these measures in order to link QOL research to clinical practice. This review provides a platform for head and neck-specific instrument comparisons, with suggestions of important factors to consider in the systematic selection of QOL instruments, and is a first step towards translation of QOL assessment into the clinical scene.

The patient-physician relationship in patients with breast cancer: influence on changes in quality of life after rehabilitation

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to examine whether aspects of the patient-physician relationship for breast cancer patients have an influence on the change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after inpatient rehabilitation.

METHODS

N = 329 breast cancer patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation in Germany were surveyed using questionnaires at the beginning of rehabilitation, end of rehabilitation, and 6 months after rehabilitation. Multiple imputations and multilevel models of change were used in the data analyses.

RESULTS

Even after comprehensive adjustment for sociodemographic, medical, psychological variables, and center effects, aspects of the physician-patient relationship were statistically and clinically relevant predictors of HRQOL after rehabilitation. Satisfaction with physician's care appears to have a rather short-term effect, but the effect of promoting patient participation can still be partially determined 6 months after rehabilitation. Other important predictors of HRQOL improvement are optimism, higher level of education, higher income, living with a partner, and the ability to work.

CONCLUSIONS

By taking into consideration the patient's communication and participation needs, physicians can contribute to an improved HRQOL after rehabilitation. The high predictive power of socioeconomic factors shows that rehabilitation care can be more effective if it accounts for the specific situation of socially disadvantaged individuals.

Patient self-reports of symptoms and clinician ratings as predictors of overall cancer survival

BACKGROUND

The National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) reporting system is widely used by clinicians to measure patient symptoms in clinical trials. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Quality of Life core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) enables cancer patients to rate their symptoms related to their quality of life. We examined the extent to which patient and clinician symptom scoring and their agreement could contribute to the estimation of overall survival among cancer patients.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline data regarding six cancer symptoms (pain, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation) from a total of 2279 cancer patients from 14 closed EORTC randomized controlled trials. In each trial that was selected for retrospective pooled analysis, both clinician and patient symptom scoring were reported simultaneously at study entry. We assessed the extent of agreement between clinician vs patient symptom scoring using the Spearman and kappa correlation statistics. After adjusting for age, sex, performance status, cancer severity, and cancer site, we used Harrell concordance index (C-index) to compare the potential for clinician-reported and/or patient-reported symptom scores to improve the accuracy of Cox models to predict overall survival. All P values are from two-sided tests.

RESULTS

Patient-reported scores for some symptoms, particularly fatigue, did differ from clinician-reported scores. For each of the six symptoms that we assessed at baseline, both clinician and patient scorings contributed independently and positively to the predictive accuracy of survival prognostication. Cox models of overall survival that considered both patient and clinician scores gained more predictive accuracy than models that considered clinician scores alone for each of four symptoms: fatigue (C-index = .67 with both patient and clinician data vs C-index = .63 with clinician data only; P <.001), vomiting (C-index = .64 vs .62; P = .01), nausea (C-index = .65 vs .62; P < .001), and constipation (C-index = .62 vs .61; P = .01).

CONCLUSION

Patients provide a subjective measure of symptom severity that complements clinician scoring in predicting overall survival.

Patient reported outcomes in head and neck cancer: selecting instruments for quality of life integration in clinical protocols

BACKGROUND

Health Related Quality of Life has been used in medical research for more than twenty years, being progressively accepted during the last decade as an important patient reported outcome. Considering the multidimensional approach involved in Health Related Quality of Life assessment, instrument applicability and cultural adaptation must be tested for each population. In order to select the most appropriate instrument for Head and Neck cancer patients, two major Health Related Quality of Life specific questionnaires for Head and Neck cancer patients were compared. Conceptual differences, psychometric characteristics, scores, reliability, construct validity and sensitivity to symptomatology, tumour location, tumour size were analyzed.

METHODS

102 consecutive Head and Neck cancer patients completed two different Health Related Quality of Life questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 and its specific head and neck module QLQ-H&N35 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scales (FACT-H&N). Patients completed the questionnaires, immediately before consultation as a part of the routine evaluation.

RESULTS

A greater variability was always found in the EORTC QLC-C30 questionnaire's scores for all comparable domains. Both instruments revealed a good internal consistency and demonstrated to be good tools to distinguish symptomatic patients. The EORTC questionnaires still demonstrated sensitivity to distinguish T3 and T4 staging. Conceptual differences and the psychometric characteristics are discussed. Our results suggest that these two instruments assess different aspects of Health Related Quality of Life - the questionnaires should be used separately and chosen according to the study objectives and methodology.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphases the importance in selecting the appropriate tool as a critical success factor in implementing routine Health Related Quality of Life assessment in clinical practice. This decision assumes particularly importance when utilization of results in real time and integration into clinical protocols are considered.

Prognostic factor and quality of life analysis in 160 patients aged > or =60 years with hematologic neoplasias treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Toxicity-reduced conditioning is a curative treatment option for medically compromised or elderly patients ineligible for myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The aim of this study was to detect prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and to evaluate quality of life (QOL) in a large homogeneous cohort of 160 consecutive patients aged > or =60 years treated with allogeneic HCT. We evaluated age, sex, performance status, comorbidities, pulmonary function, lactic dehydrogenase concentration, type of donor, disease status, CD34(+) cells transplanted, cytomegalovirus status, time from diagnosis to HCT, and the development of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). All patients who survived for > or =6 months (n = 79) were asked to complete a QOL survey. All patients (median age, 64.7 years; range, 60.1-76 years) received pretransplantation conditioning with fludarabine, BCNU, and melphalan. With a median follow-up of 35 months, the 1-year OS was 62.4% and 3-year OS was 47.4%. Multivariate analysis revealed compromised performance status as the most significant negative prognostic parameter for OS (P < .003), whereas male donor (P = .008) and chronic GVHD (P = .024) were associated with better OS. The 89% of survivors who returned the QOL questionnaire rated their global QOL as good-to-excellent despite impaired functional capabilities and such symptoms as fatigue, dyspnea, and loss of appetite. The main prognostic factor was performance status, not age. Our data suggest that toxicity-reduced conditioning offers a chance for enhanced OS with an adequate QOL.

Quality of life data as prognostic indicators of survival in cancer patients: an overview of the literature from 1982 to 2008

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life and survival are two important outcome measures in cancer research and practice. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between quality of life data and survival time in cancer patients.

METHODS

A review was undertaken of all the full publications in the English language biomedical journals between 1982 and 2008. The search was limited to cancer, and included the combination of keywords 'quality of life', 'patient reported-outcomes' 'prognostic', 'predictor', 'predictive' and 'survival' that appeared in the titles of the publications. In addition, each study was examined to ensure that it used multivariate analysis. Purely psychological studies were excluded. A manual search was also performed to include additional papers of potential interest.

RESULTS

A total of 451 citations were identified in this rapid and systematic review of the literature. Of these, 104 citations on the relationship between quality of life and survival were found to be relevant and were further examined. The findings are summarized under different headings: heterogeneous samples of cancer patients, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastro-oesophageal cancers, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, melanoma and other cancers. With few exceptions, the findings showed that quality of life data or some aspects of quality of life measures were significant independent predictors of survival duration. Global quality of life, functioning domains and symptom scores - such as appetite loss, fatigue and pain - were the most important indicators, individually or in combination, for predicting survival times in cancer patients after adjusting for one or more demographic and known clinical prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

This review provides evidence for a positive relationship between quality of life data or some quality of life measures and the survival duration of cancer patients. Pre-treatment (baseline) quality of life data appeared to provide the most reliable information for helping clinicians to establish prognostic criteria for treating their cancer patients. It is recommended that future studies should use valid instruments, apply sound methodological approaches and adequate multivariate statistical analyses adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and known clinical prognostic factors with a satisfactory validation strategy. This strategy is likely to yield more accurate and specific quality of life-related prognostic variables for specific cancers.