Quality of life after cancer-How the extent of impairment is influenced by patient characteristics

Risk of cancer-related distress by age in colorectal cancer survivors: The modulatory role of unmet support needs

To explore the modulating role of unmet support needs on the relationship between age and the prevalence of cancer-related distress in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Two hundred and forty four participants completed the questionnaires; linear regression and odd ratios were calculated. Both the prevalence of needs and their interaction with age were predictors of cancer-related distress. The risk of significant clinically distress associated with physical and socio/family needs was high in both age subgroups. Higher risk of clinical distress was associated with life perspective, sexual, occupational and health care needs in the younger subgroup and with needs for specific support resources in the older subgroup. In reducing cancer-related distress, two key issues arise: (i) the importance of managing the persistent negative symptoms following CRC treatment in survivors of any age and (ii) the need for a differentiated attention to other care needs based on the survivor's age.

A two-arm non-randomised trial of MedEx IMPACT: a community-based, physical activity behaviour change intervention for survivors of cancer

PURPOSE

This two-arm non-randomised trial examined the short- and long-term effects of a usual care (UC) community-based exercise programme (MedEx Move On (MMO)), and UC combined with a physical activity (PA) behaviour change (BC) intervention (MedEx IMproved PA after Cancer Treatement (MedEx IMPACT)) on PA levels, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and quality of life (QoL) among survivors of cancer.

METHODS

Cancer survivors referred to MMO were recruited (n = 191; mean age (± SD) 56 (± 10y), 73% female). Eighty-seven participants were assigned to UC, and 104 participants were assigned to the MedEx IMPACT intervention group (MI). UC and MI both received twice-weekly supervised exercise classes for 12-weeks. MI also received an independent PA programme, 4 PA information sessions and a 1:1 exercise consultation during the 12-week programme. Assessments of physical and psycho-social health, including 6-day accelerometry, the 6-min time trial and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General QoL questionnaire, were conducted at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2) and 3 months following programme completion (T3).

RESULTS

Linear mixed-model analyses of variance demonstrated significant main effects for time for both groups from T1 to T2 with increases in objectively measured daily steps (p < 0.05), CRF (p < .001) and QoL (p < .01), which were maintained for CRF (p < .001) at T3. MI participants also maintained increases achieved at T2, in steps and QoL, at T3 (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Twelve weeks of twice-weekly supervised exercise was effective in increasing PA, CRF and QoL among survivors of cancer. MI resulted in the maintenance of all improvements achieved 3 months following programme completion.

The relationship between loneliness, psychological resilience, quality of life and taste change in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the correlation between taste change, nutritional intake and quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A total of 610 (F = 314, M = 296) volunteers aged 19 and 65 who received outpatient chemotherapy treatment participated in the study.

METHODS

Individuals' general information was obtained, anthropometric measurements were carried out, malnutrition status (Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment PG-SGA), loneliness (Cancer Loneliness Scale), psychological resilience (Psychological Resilience Scale), quality of life (Quality of Life Scale (EORT QLQ-C30) and taste changes were scrutinized [Chemotherapy-Induced Taste Alteration Scale (CiTAS)].

RESULTS

There was a negative correlation between the Cancer Loneliness Scale and PG-SGA and General Health Status (r = -0.494, p = 0.000; r = -0.406, p = 0.000) and a positive correlation with Symptom Scales (r = 0.484, p = 0.000; r = 0.506, p = 0.000) (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the Psychological Resilience Scale and General Health Status (r = 0.393, P = 0.000), Functional Scales (r = 0.349, P = 0.000), and a negative correlation between Symptom Scales (r = -0.302, p = 0.000) (p < 0.05). 70.9% of men and 70.7% of women had severe malnutrition. General Taste Changes, General Health and Symptom Scale values were significant predictors of severe malnutrition status (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The symptoms that develop during the treatment process cause many psychological problems. Before starting treatment, patients should be evaluated comprehensively, depression anxiety levels and quality of life levels should be determined, and precautions should be taken accordingly.

Function in Cancer Patients: Disease and Clinical Determinants

Patients with cancer often experience changes in function during and after treatment but it is not clear what cancer types, and associated clinical factors, affect function. This study evaluated patient-reported functional impairments between specific cancer types and risk factors related to disease status and non-cancer factors. A cross-sectional study evaluating 332 individuals referred to cancer rehabilitation clinics was performed at six U.S. hospitals. The PROMIS Cancer Function Brief 3D Profile was used to assess functional outcomes across the domains of physical function, fatigue, and social participation. Multivariable modeling showed an interaction between cancer type and cancer status on the physical function and social participation scales. Subset analyses in the active cancer group showed an effect by cancer type for physical function (p < 0.001) and social participation (p = 0.008), but no effect was found within the non-active cancer subset analyses. Brain, sarcoma, prostate, and lymphoma were the cancers associated with lower function when disease was active. Premorbid neurologic or musculoskeletal impairments were found to be predictors of lower physical function and social participation in those with non-active cancer; cancer type did not predict low function in patients with no evidence of disease. There was no differential effect of cancer type on fatigue, but increased fatigue was significantly associated with lower age (0.027), increased body mass index (p < 0.001), premorbid musculoskeletal impairment (p < 0.015), and active cancer status (p < 0.001). Anticipatory guidance and education on the common impairments observed with specific cancer types and during specific stages of cancer care may help improve/support patients and their caregivers as they receive impairment-driven cancer rehabilitation care.

Remote assessment of cognition and quality of life following radiotherapy for glioma: deep-learning-based predictive models and MRI correlates

BACKGROUND

Glioma irradiation often unavoidably damages the brain volume and affects cognition. This study aims to evaluate the relationship of remote cognitive assessments in determining cognitive impairment of irradiated glioma patients in relation to the quality of life and MRI changes.

METHODS

Thirty patients (16-76 aged) with two imaging (pre- and post-RT) and completed cognitive assessments were recruited. Cerebellum, right and left temporal lobes, corpus callosum, amygdala and spinal cord were delineated and their dosimetry parameters were collected. Cognitive assessments were given post-RT via telephone (Telephone Interview Cognitive Status (TICS), Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA), Telephone Mini Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (Tele-MACE)). Regression models and deep neural network (DNN) were used to evaluate the relationship between brain volume, cognition and treatment dose in patients.

RESULTS

Cognitive assessments were highly inter-correlated (r > 0.9) and impairment was shown between pre- and post-RT findings. Brain volume atrophy was shown post-RT, and cognitive impairments were correlated with radiotherapy-associated volume atrophy and dose-dependent in the left temporal lobe, corpus callosum, cerebellum and amygdala. DNN showed a good area under the curve for cognitive prediction; TICS (0.952), T-MoCA (0.909) and Tele-MACE (0.822).

CONCLUSIONS

Cognition can be evaluated remotely in which radiotherapy-related brain injury is dose-dependent and volume-dependent. Prediction models can assist in the early identification of patients at risk for neurocognitive decline following RT for glioma, thus facilitating potential treatment interventions.

Young Adult German Breast Cancer Patients Participating in a Three-Week Inpatient Mother–Child Rehab Program Have High Needs for Supportive Care

A known cut-off problem hampers the interpretation of quality of life (QOL) scores. The purpose of this study was to apply a novel approach for the EORTC QLQ-C30 instrument to identify the proportion of breast cancer (BC) patients in need of supportive care. Changes in QOL during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated, as well as changes over time (after treatment termination and up to 4 years later). Data were obtained from a cohort study on young adult BC patients with minor children participating in a mother–child rehab program. Cross-sectional QOL data were collected from 2015 to 2021 (baseline). Follow-up data were available for up to 4 years after diagnosis for a subgroup. The baseline cohort included 853 women (mean age 35 years). More than 50% had a need for supportive care. In the subgroup with follow-up, this proportion remained at a high level up to several years after diagnosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes regarding the proportion with this need were not as high as expected—with the exception of changes on the QLQ-C30 scale ‘role functioning’ (+15%). Even several years after diagnosis, every second BC patient with minor children had a need for supportive care, which is much higher than previously found. Healthcare staff should be aware of this potential need and should address this issue.

Physical and Quality of Life Changes in Elderly Patients after Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer-A Prospective Cohort Study

Background-The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing among elderly people, where postoperative complications are frequent. Methods-We evaluated postoperative physical and quality of life changes in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. A prospective cohort study was performed in 31 colorectal cancer patients ≥60 years who were scheduled for laparoscopic surgery due to colorectal cancer. Outcomes were measured one month preoperative (T1), three days postoperative (T2) and one month postoperative (T3). Results-The largest early postoperative (from T1 to T2) declines were observed for isometric knee extension strength (33.1%), 30 s Chair Stand Test (27.9%) and handgrip strength (16.9%). Significant reductions in quality of life measured with the QLQ-C30 summary score and the EQ 5D index score were found between T1-T3 and T1-T2, respectively. Conclusions-A decline in isometric knee extension strength, 30 s Chair Stand Test, handgrip strength and quality of life is evident in elderly patients in the days following laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. Preoperative values are recovered one month after surgery for all the outcomes, except for isometric knee extension, which should receive especial attention.

Impact of hormone therapy side effects on health-related quality of life, distress, and well-being of breast cancer survivors

To explore the modulatory role of Adjuvant Hormone Therapy (AHT) on health-related quality of life (QoL), subjective well-being and distress prevalence in Breast Cancer (BC) survivors, considering the survival phase. Cross-sectional study with control group. 616 BC survivors participated. Examination of interaction effect between AHT and time since end of primary treatment showed that many of the positive changes observed through the survival phases were experienced exclusively by survivors without AHT. When AHT was not prescribed, longer time elapsed was associated with a decrease in distress prevalence and an improvement in subjective well-being and QoL. It seems there is a turning point around the fifth year after finalization of primary treatment, from which the survivors without AHT significantly improve in several areas and those with AHT do so to a lesser extent. It is expected that the improvement in QoL throughout the different survival phases will have a significant impact on the adherence and maintenance of AHT and, consequently, the likelihood of survival. Thus, AHT side-effects should be routinely assessed by health care providers to gain accurate knowledge that allows improving the QoL of BC survivors.

Quality of life in cancer survivorship: Sociodemographic and disease-related moderators

RATIONALE

To identify high-risk survivors in order to provide appropriate care.

PURPOSE

To analyse the quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors using an instrument designed specifically for this population and considering different sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics as possible modulating variables.

METHODS

The Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) was filled out by a large and heterogeneous sample of disease-free post-treatment Spanish cancer survivors (N = 1862).

RESULTS

QLACS scores were comparable to those obtained in other studies and indicative of worse QOL as a function of shorter elapsed time since the end of primary treatment. The best QOL was shown by prostate, and the worst by hematologic cancer survivors. Both systemic treatments (chemotherapy and hormone therapy) and the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were associated with worse QOL. Likewise, younger age, female sex, unemployment status and not having a stable partner were associated with worse QOL.

CONCLUSION

Greater understanding of the QOL experienced by the already large and continuously growing population of cancer survivors is relevant for guiding both clinical practice and health policy. In addition, knowing the risk factors associated with worse QOL facilitates the development of targeted prevention programmes for those survivors who need it the most.

Transitioning ifosfamide chemotherapy regimens to the ambulatory setting: reviewing cost savings and safety profile

PURPOSE

To characterize and compare both the outcome and cost of treatment of outpatient (OP) and inpatient (IP) ifosfamide therapy.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective chart review of patients 18 years and older receiving ifosfamide therapy. The primary endpoint compares and evaluates the side effect profiles of ifosfamide-treated patients in the OP/IP settings. The adverse event grading system was characterized using the CTCAE Version 5.0. The highest grade was documented per cycle. The secondary endpoint of this study compares the costs of OP/IP therapy. It was assumed that the cost of medication was equivalent for IP/OP treatments. The cost saved with OP administration was determined by the average cost of hospital stay for IP admission.

RESULTS

Ifosfamide therapy of 86 patients (57 OP, 29 IP) was reviewed. The predominant OP regimens were doxorobucin-ifosfamide-mesna (AIM) with 43.9% and ifosfamide-etoposide (IE) with 29.8%. Grade 4 anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia were most frequent in IP vs OP therapies (22.9% IP vs 4.3% OP, 21.6% IP vs 9.2% OP, and 22.8% IP vs 19.6% OP respectively). Neutropenic fever (NF) occurred in 20 OP patients which were predominantly treated with AIM or IE and led to average hospital stay of 6 days. Neurotoxicity, treated with methylene blue (MB) occurred in 4 OP patients. OP therapy saved a total of 783 hospital days, leading to a cost savings of $2,103,921.

CONCLUSIONS

Transitioning ifosfamide to the OP setting is feasible for academic and community infusion centers with the OP administration being safe, well-tolerated, and associated with decreased total cost of care. The current processes allow for safe transition of chemotherapy of chemotherapy under times of COVID.

Dietary Supplements in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A New Hope?

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the main and most prevalent side effects of chemotherapy, significantly affecting the quality of life of patients and the course of chemotherapeutic treatment. Nevertheless, despite its prevalence, the management of the CIPN is considered particularly challenging, with this condition often being perceived as very difficult or even impossible to prevent with currently available agents. Therefore, it is imperative to find better options for patients diagnosed with this condition. While the search for the new agents must continue, another opportunity should be taken into consideration—repurposing of the already known medications. As proposed, acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamins (group B and E), extracts of medical plants, including goshajinkigan, curcumin and others, unsaturated fatty acids, as well as the diet composed of so-called “sirtuin-activating foods”, could change the typical way of treatment of CIPN, improve the quality of life of patients and maintain the continuity of chemotherapy. This review summarizes currently available data regarding mentioned above agents and evaluates the rationale behind future research focused on their efficacy in CIPN.

Health state utility values by cancer stage: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES

Cancer diagnoses at later stages are associated with a decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Health state utility values (HSUVs) reflect preference-based HRQOL and can vary based on cancer type, stage, treatment, and disease progression. Detecting and treating cancer at earlier stages may lead to improved HRQOL, which is important for value assessments. We describe published HSUVs by cancer type and stage.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using Embase, MEDLINE^®, EconLit, and gray literature to identify studies published from January 1999 to September 2019 that reported HSUVs by cancer type and stage. Disutility values were calculated from differences in reported HSUVs across cancer stages.

RESULTS

From 13,872 publications, 27 were eligible for evidence synthesis. The most frequent cancer types were breast (n = 9), lung (n = 5), colorectal (n = 4), and cervical cancer (n = 3). Mean HSUVs decreased with increased cancer stage, with consistently lower values seen in stage IV or later-stage cancer across studies (e.g., - 0.74, - 0.44, and - 0.51 for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer, respectively). Disutility values were highest between later-stage (metastatic or stage IV) cancers compared to earlier-stage (localized or stage I-III) cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a summary of HSUVs across different cancer types and stages that can inform economic evaluations. Despite the large variation in HSUVs overall, a consistent decline in HSUVs can be seen in the later stages, including stage IV. These findings indicate substantial impairment on individuals' quality of life and suggest value in early detection and intervention.

The association between physical activity, sedentary time and health-related quality of life in cancer survivors

Background

Although physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in cancer survivors (CSs) were associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), it was not clear whether their associations were similar among CSs with different number of comorbid chronic diseases (CCDs). This study aimed to investigate the associations between PA, sedentary time and HRQOL in CSs with different number of CCDs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1546 CSs between June and September 2018 in Shanghai, China. Data were collected with a self-reported questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, CCDs, PA, sedentary time and HRQOL. International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 were respectively used to measure PA and HRQOL of CSs. Associations of PA and sedentary time with HRQOL among CSs with different number of CCDs were evaluated by using logistic regression, adjusted for confounding factors.

Results

About seventy-five percent CSs had at least one CCD. Approximately three fifths CSs had high PA level and < 4 h/day sedentary time. Moderate PA level and high PA level were shown to be associated with better HRQOL among all participants. In CSs with ≤ 2 CCDs, high PA level was significantly associated with higher scores of physical function and lower scores of nausea and vomiting, appetite loss. However, there was a positive association between high PA level and constipation score among CSs with ≥ 3 CCDs. CSs with shorter sedentary time had better HRQOL in those with CCDs.

Conclusions

High PA level and long sedentary time have significant association with worse HRQOL of CSs with ≥ 3 CCDs, while high PA level is positively associated with HRQOL in CSs with ≤ 2 CCDs. Our findings may support further studies of the causal association between PA, sedentary times and HRQOL to provide targeted proposal to improve the HRQOL of CSs according to their number of CCDs.

Applying the thresholds for clinical importance for fourteen key domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30: a latent class analysis of cancer survivors

A person’s quality of life is impacted from the beginning of their oncology experience. One of the most common tools to measure quality of life is the EORTC QLQ-C30. The absolute scores it produces can be difficult to interpret in the clinical setting, and thresholds to help identify those who require intervention have recently been introduced. The aim of this research was to identify heterogeneity of these thresholds for clinical importance using latent class analysis in cancer survivors (those undergoing and those who have completed treatment) attending a hospital in the northwest of Ireland. We identified 3 distinct classes of cancer survivors, using Mplus 6.11: high clinical impact (13.9%), compromised physical function (40.3%) and low clinical impact (45.9%). The compromised physical function group were slightly more likely to be older (OR = 1.042, p < .05, CI = 1.000–1.086), not employed (OR = 8.347, p < .01, CI = 2.092–33.305), have lower PG-SGA scores (OR = .826, p < .001, CI = .755–.904), and not have been diagnosed in the last 2 years (OR = .325, p < .05, CI = .114–.923) compared to the high clinical impact group. The low clinical impact group were more likely to be female (OR = 3.288, p < .05, CI = 1.281–1.073), not employed (OR = 10.129, p < .01, CI = 2.572–39.882), have a lower BMI (OR = .921, p < .05, CI = .853–.994), and lower PG-SGA scores (OR = .656, p < .001, CI = .573–.750) than the high clinical impact group. Functional and symptom issues impact on quality of life, and therefore, identifying those of clinical importance is crucial for developing supportive care strategies.

Low Carb and Ketogenic Diets Increase Quality of Life, Physical Performance, Body Composition, and Metabolic Health of Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) patients often ask for a healthy diet. Here, we investigated a healthy standard diet (SD), a low carb diet (LCD), and a ketogenic diet (KD) for BC patients during the rehabilitation phase. KOLIBRI was an open-label non-randomized one-site nutritional intervention trial, combining inpatient and outpatient phases for 20 weeks. Female BC patients (n = 152; mean age 51.7 years) could select their diet. Data collected were: Quality of life (QoL), spiroergometry, body composition, and blood parameters. In total 30, 92, and 30 patients started the KD, LCD, and SD, respectively. Of those, 20, 76, and 25 completed the final examination. Patients rated all diets as feasible in daily life. All groups enhanced QoL, body composition, and physical performance. LCD participants showed the most impressive improvement in QoL aspects. KD participants finished with a very good physical performance and muscle/fat ratio. Despite increased cholesterol levels, KD patients had the best triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Most metabolic parameters significantly improved in the LCD group. SD participants ended with remarkably low cholesterol levels but did not improve triglyceride/HDL or HOMA-IR. In conclusion, both well-defined KDs and LCDs are safe and beneficial for BC patients and can be recommended during the rehabilitation phase.

Depression, anxiety and spirituality in oncology patients

OBJECTIVE To relate anxiety and depression levels to the spirituality levels of oncology patients in the ABC region. METHODS Cross-sectional study performed at the ABC University Center oncology outpatient clinics. For the evaluation of spirituality, the Religiosity, Spirituality, and Personal Beliefs instrument of the World Health Organization (SRPB-WHO) was applied. To evaluate the levels of depression and anxiety, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied. Qualitative variables were described by frequency and percentage, and quantitative variables by mean and standard deviation or median and range. Relationships were established using either the T-test or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and correlations with Pearson or Spearman tests, depending on the normality assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test. RESULTS We included 99 patients, 68% female, with a median age of 60 years (19 to 81). A total of 24% had high or borderline levels of anxiety and 21% of depression. There was a negative correlation between levels of depression and spirituality (rho = -0.44, p <0.001), and anxiety and spirituality (rho=-0.232, p=0.02). We found no significant difference between levels of anxiety, depression, or spirituality when stratified by schooling, income, ethnicity, or marital status. There was a positive correlation between levels of anxiety and depression (cor = 0.477, p <0.001). CONCLUSION Spirituality can be a complementary tool in the treatment of patients with cancer.

Balance Deficits and Functional Disability in Cancer Survivors Exposed to Neurotoxic Cancer Treatments

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) persists after treatment in up to 40% of cancer survivors and has been linked with increased balance deficits, disabilities, and fall occurrences. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the links between CIPN, balance deficits, and functional disability and to inform the development of clinical screening tools for patients at risk of these events.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 190 cancer survivors exposed to neurotoxic chemotherapies (age, 57 ± 13 years; average time from completion of neurotoxic therapy, 12 ± 11 months) attended a neurology research clinic for a single cross-sectional assessment of patient-reported and objective CIPN, standing balance in 4 conditions of increasing difficulty, and functional disability.

RESULTS

Most patients (68%) reported CIPN symptoms at assessment. Symptomatic patients displayed increased functional disability (F=39.4; P<.001) and balance deficits (F=34.5; P<.001), with degree of balance impairments consistent with a healthy elderly population (age ≥65 years) reporting multiple falls over the subsequent year. Increasing CIPN severity correlated with increasing functional disability (clinically assessed R2=0.46; patient-reported R2=0.49; P<.001) and balance deficits (clinically assessed R2=0.41; patient-reported R2=0.30; P<.001). A 5-factor model of key independent correlates-patient-reported numbness/tingling, weakness, and balance deficit; age; and vibration perception-was strongly linked to balance deficits (R2=0.46; P<.001) and functional disability (R2=0.56; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms links between increasing CIPN severity and increasing balance deficits and functional disability using comprehensive CIPN assessment methodology. The extent of balance deficits in patients with CIPN underscores the functional consequences of neurotoxicity. A 5-factor model provides a foundation for clinical screening tools to assess balance deficits and functional disability in patients exposed to neurotoxic chemotherapies.

Mobility in survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and utility of the 6-min walk test

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant and often lasting side effect of cancer treatment, with increasing CIPN severity associated with increasing deficits in balance, gait, and mobility. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a widely validated and utilized measure of general physical functioning and mobility, although its utility in a CIPN context is unclear. This study aimed to determine the utility of the 6MWT as an assessment of mobility deficits in a CIPN cohort and utilize the 6MWT to compare mobility data from CIPN patients to those of healthy and clinical populations.

METHODS

Cancer survivors exposed to neurotoxic chemotherapies (N = 100; mean 17 ± 13 months post-treatment; mean age 59 ± 13 years) completed a single cross-sectional assessment of patient-reported and objective CIPN, mobility (6MWT), and disability.

RESULTS

CIPN symptoms were reported in the majority of the cohort (87%). Increasing age, patient-reported and objective CIPN symptoms, and disability were associated with decreasing 6MWT distance (.48 ≤ R ≤ .63; p < .001) in bivariate models. Multiple regression models of 6MWT distance included age, sex, and patient-reported or objective CIPN severity as significant independent correlates (.62 ≤ R ≤ .64; p < .03). 6MWT distances in patients with CIPN symptom severity above the cohort mean were consistent with mean values reported in diabetic neuropathy and clinical populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased CIPN symptoms are associated with increased mobility deficits. The 6MWT demonstrates promising utility as a mobility assessment in a CIPN cohort.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

The impact of the progression of CIPN on mobility deficits in survivors emphasizes the need for effective interventions to treat and prevent CIPN.

Change in physical activity and quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors receiving a physical activity intervention

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer survivors are at an increased risk of poor quality of life outcomes. Physical activity is positively associated with general quality of life in this population, however, little is known about how changes in physical activity may be associated with changes in specific aspects of quality of life. The aim of this secondary data analysis was to explore the relationships between change in physical activity and change in physical, mental, social, and other aspects of quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors receiving a physical activity intervention.

METHODS

Endometrial cancer survivors (N = 100) participated in a telephone-based physical activity intervention for six months. At baseline and post-intervention we measured physical activity via accelerometry and ecological momentary assessment, and quality of life via the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Quality of Life of Adult Cancer Survivors instrument, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Perceived Stress Scale. We conducted structural equation modeling path analyses to investigate how physical activity post-intervention was associated with the quality of life measures' subscales post-intervention, adjusting for baseline levels and potentially confounding covariates.

RESULTS

Increasing physical activity was positively associated with improvements in general health (p = .044), role limitation due to physical health (p = .005), pain (p = .041), and somatic distress (p = .023). There was no evidence to indicate that change in physical activity was associated with change in other aspects of quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Endometrial cancer survivors are at higher risk for suffering from challenges to physical quality of life, and findings from this study suggest that increasing physical activity may alleviate some of these problems. Further research is needed to determine whether other aspects of quality of life are linked to change in physical activity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration number: NCT00501761 Name of registry: clinicaltrials.gov Date of registration: July 16, 2007. Date of enrollment: June 16, 2005.

Quality of Life in Oncology

Continuous improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer lead to improved cure rates and longer survival. However, in many patients, the disease becomes chronic. In this context, the patients' quality of life (QOL) becomes a crucial issue. After an introduction about QOL, results from different areas of cancer treatment are presented considering their impact on QOL. Finally, implications are discussed for researchers, clinicians, and patients.

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.

The Health related Quality of Life of Puerto Ricans during Cancer Treatments; A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the health related quality of life (HRQOL) experienced by 79 Puerto Rican adults during cancer treatments.

METHODS

This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. Participants completed a demographics form and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General QOL questionnaire (FACT-G). Descriptive statistics were generated.

RESULTS

Participants were ages 28-78; most of the participants had breast (38.0%), prostate (14.0%) and cervical and ovarian cancers (10.1%) treated with chemotherapy (45.6%). The participants had a mean total score on the FACT-G of 75.2 (SD = 18.9). As a group, the functional well-being was the most affected (mean 17.2, SD 6.8), and the Social/Familial was the least affected (mean 20.7, SD 6.0).

CONCLUSION

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the island of Puerto Rico. Female Puerto Rican cancer patients in this study sample had increased risk for experiencing worse: overall HRQOL, physical well-being and emotional well-being compared to males. Given that the Hispanic oncology population does not always report symptoms, risking under-assessment and under management, this suggests there may be a greater need for HRQOL surveillance for this population.

Why Does the Health-Related Quality of Life in Idiopathic Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus Fail to Improve Despite the Favorable Clinical Outcome?

OBJECTIVE

Occasionally, a favorable clinical disease-specific outcome does not reflect into improved generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) at 1 year after the installation of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt. Our aim was to identify factors causing this discrepancy.

METHODS

The 1-year HRQoL outcomes of 141 patients with iNPH were evaluated with the generic 15D instrument, in which the minimum clinically important change/difference on the 0-1 scale has been estimated to be ±0.015. A 12-point iNPH grading scale (iNPHGS) was used as a clinical disease-specific outcome measure, in which a 1-point decrease is considered to be clinically important. We identified 29 (21%) patients with iNPH from our prospective study whose HRQoL deteriorated or remained the same despite of a favorable iNPHGS outcome. We analyzed this discrepancy using patients' clinical variables and characteristics.

RESULTS

Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis indicated that a greater (worse) iNPHGS score at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.3; P < 0.001), comorbid chronic pulmonary disease (40% vs. 20%; adjusted OR 17.8; 95% CI 3.6-89.9; P < 0.001), and any comorbid nonmetastatic tumor (62% vs. 17%; adjusted OR 11.5; 95% CI 1.5-85.3; P = 0.017) predicted discrepancy between iNPHGS and 15D outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Frail patients suffering from certain pre-existing comorbidities may not experience improvement in generic HRQoL despite of a favorable clinical disease-specific response. Acknowledging the comorbidity burden of the patient may help clinicians and the patients to understand the conflict between patient-reported and clinical outcomes.

Quality of life of women with pre-and post-operative breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the Quality of Life (QOL) at the pre and postoperative time of women with breast cancer submitted to surgery and to associate it with the socioeconomic class.

METHODS

This is a longitudinal study, performed at Santa Rita de Cássia Hospital (HSRC), Vitória - ES, Brazil. The EORTC QLQ instrument C-30 and the EORTC BR-23 were used to measure the QOL of the interviewees before and after breast surgery.

RESULTS

A population composed of 87 women, 42.5% were 60 years old or more. The socioeconomic condition C was identified as predominant among the interviewees, covering 62% of the sample (n=54). Women´s QOL in the preoperative period was better in the Physical Function dimensions for class C and D; and the Emotional was better for class B. There was improvement in QOL after surgery for Body Image in class C, and for Social Function in B. Evaluating all social classes, only the dimensions Cognitive Function and Future Perspectives improved in the postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of life of women after breast surgery worsened in most of the studied dimensions, evidencing the need for an interdisciplinary work dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of these patients.