Quality of life in cancer patients with pain in Beijing

Objective:To investigate the quality of life(QOL) of cancer pain patients in Beijing,and explore the effect of cancer pain control on patients’ QOL.Methods:Self-developed demographic questionnaire,numeric rating scale and SF-36 questionnaire were used together among 643 cancer pain patients in 28 Grade 2nd to 3rd general hospitals and 2 Grade 3rd cancer hospitals.Results:The SF-36 eight dimensions scores ranged from 31.75 to 57.22 in these cancer pain patients.The t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare the QOL between pain controlled(PC) group and pain uncontrolled(PUC) group,and the results showed that patients in PC group had the higher QOL scores in 6 areas of SF-36(P<0.05).Binary logistic regression results found that pain management satisfaction scores(P<0.001),family average personal monthly income(P=0.029),current receiving chemotherapy(P=0.009) and cancer stage(P<0.001) were the predictors to cancer pain controlled results.Conclusion: Cancer patients with pain in Beijing had poor QOL. Pain control will improve the QOL of cancer pain patients.     

Lung cancer symptoms and pulse oximetry in the prognostic assessment of patients with lung cancer

Background  

Medical oncologists continue to use performance status as a proxy for quality of life (QOL) measures, as completion of QOL instruments is perceived as time consuming, may measure aspects of QOL not affected by cancer therapy, and interpretation may be unclear. The pulse oximeter is widely used in clinical practice to predict cardiopulmonary morbidity after lung resection in cancer patients, but little is known on its role outside the surgical setting. We evaluated whether the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale and pulse oximetry may contribute to the evaluation of lung cancer patients who received standard anticancer therapy.     

Measuring the impact of cancer: a comparison of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer survivors

Introduction  

Self-report instruments such as the Impact of Cancer (IOC) are designed to measure quality of life (QOL) impacts that cancer survivors attribute to their cancer experience. Generalizability of QOL findings across distinct diagnostic categories of survivors is untested. We compare measurement of the impact of cancer using the IOC instrument in breast cancer (BC) survivors (n = 1,188) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors (n = 652).     

The quality of life of Chinese middle-aged male patients with gastric carcinoma after total gastrectomy and nursing intervention

Objective  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in Chinese middle-aged male patients with gastric carcinoma after total gastrectomy, to investigate the factors affecting their QOL, and to Study the effectiveness of nursing intervention.     

Cancer patient preferences for quality and length of life

BACKGROUND.

Optimal patient decision making requires integration of patient values, goals, and preferences with information received from the physician. In the case of a life‐threatening illness such as cancer, the weights placed on quality of life (QOL) and length of life (LOL) represent critical values. The objective of the current study was to describe cancer patient values regarding QOL and LOL and explore associations with communication preferences.

METHODS.

Patients with advanced cancer completed a computer‐based survey before the initial consultation with a medical oncologist. Assessments included sociodemographics, physical and mental health state, values regarding quality and length of life, communication preferences, and cancer‐related distress.

RESULTS.

Among 459 patients with advanced cancer, 55% placed equal valued on QOL and LOL, 27% preferred QOL, and 18% preferred LOL. Patients with a QOL preference had lower levels of cancer‐related distress (P < .001). A QOL preference was also associated with older age (P = .001), male sex (P = .003), and higher educational level (P = .062). Patients who preferred LOL over QOL desired a more supportive and less pessimistic communication style from their oncologists.

CONCLUSIONS.

These data indicate that a values preference for LOL versus QOL may be simply measured, and is associated with wishes regarding the nature of oncologist communication. Awareness of these values during the clinical encounter could improve decision making by influencing the style and content of the communication between oncologists and their patients. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.     

Knowledge and attitudes of primary health care physicians and nurses with regard to population screening for colorectal cancer in Balearic Islands and Barcelona

Background  

Primary health care (PHC) professionals play a key role in population screening of colorectal cancer. The purposes of the study are: to assess knowledge and attitudes among PHC professionals with regard to colorectal cancer screening, as well as the factors that determine their support for such screening.     

Two-year quality of life after breast cancer surgery: A comparison of three surgical procedures

Purpose

To analyze longitudinal changes in each subscale of a quality of life (QOL) measure and to explore their relationships to effective QOL predictors in breast cancer surgery patients.

Patients and methods

This prospective study analyzed 172 patients at two tertiary academic hospitals. All patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its supplementary breast cancer measure (QLQ-BR23) at baseline and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The 95% confidence intervals for differences in responsiveness estimates were derived by bootstrap estimation. Scores derived by these instruments were interpreted by generalized estimating equation (GEE) before and after surgery.

Results

A 2-year follow-up survey of the examined population revealed significant (P < 0.05) improvement in each QOL subscale. In both postoperative surveys, effect size was largest in the QLQ subscales for patients who had received mastectomy with reconstruction and lowest in those who had received modified radical mastectomy. After adjusting for time effects and baseline predictors, GEE approaches revealed the following explanatory variables for QOL: time, type of surgical procedure, age, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and preoperative functional status.

Conclusions

When evaluating QOL after breast cancer surgery, several factors other than the surgery itself should be considered. Patients should also be advised that their postoperative QOL might depend not only on the success of their operations, but also on their preoperative functional status.     

Potential gonadotoxicity of treatment in relation to quality of life and mental well-being of male survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Purpose

Results of earlier studies concerning quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial coping of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors have been inconsistent. Some treatments for ALL affect testicular function and we hypothesized that this may influence the QOL and psychosocial coping of male survivors. Our aims were to assess the QOL and psychosocial coping of male long-term ALL survivors and to evaluate the effect of both testosterone level and the potential gonadotoxicity of various treatment modalities on them.

Methods

Fifty-two male long-term survivors treated for childhood ALL at Helsinki University Hospital between 1970 and 1995, and 56 age- and gender-matched controls were studied. The participants completed a self-report questionnaire including questions on sociodemographics, RAND-36 to assess QOL, General Health Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory to assess mental well-being, and CAGE to assess alcohol abuse/dependence. Testosterone levels were measured, and treatment details were reviewed.

Results

ALL survivors in general had QOL close to that of controls or population norms. Decreased QOL was seen in physical health-related subscales, and vitality and emotional well-being were lowered in survivors with more gonadotoxic treatment modalities. No single independent factor in the treatment or the level of testosterone could, however, be found to clearly explain the variation in QOL scores of the survivors. Mental well-being of most of the survivors was good, but a subgroup with previous cyclophosphamide treatment or testicular irradiation showed increased risk of psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusions

The male ALL survivors generally cope well, but increased focus on specific risk groups seems to be necessary. Further studies using patient interviews would probably point out issues concerning the QOL and psychosocial coping of ALL survivors, which may not emerge in these screening studies.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

In general, more attention should be paid for physical functioning of childhood ALL survivors. Increased focus should also be on QOL and mental well-being of survivors with more gonadotoxic treatment modalities and those whose diagnosis was made in their adolescence.     

Relationship between cytokine gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and symptom burden and quality of life in lung cancer survivors

BACKGROUND:

Previous research has demonstrated that many lung cancer survivors report difficulties with symptom control and experience a poor quality of life (QOL). Although recent studies have suggested a relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several cytokine genes with cancer susceptibility and prognosis, associations with symptom burden and QOL have not been examined. The current study was conducted to identify SNPs related to symptom burden and QOL outcomes in lung cancer survivors.

METHODS:

All participants were enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Lung Cancer Cohort following diagnosis of lung cancer. A total of 1149 Caucasian lung cancer survivors completed questionnaires and had genetic samples available. The main outcome measures were symptom burden as measured by the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale and health‐related QOL as measured by the Short‐Form General Health Survey.

RESULTS:

Twenty‐one SNPs in cytokine genes were associated with symptom burden and QOL outcomes. Our results suggested both specificity and consistency of cytokine gene SNPs in predicting outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results provide support for genetic predisposition to QOL and symptom burden and may aid in identification of lung cancer survivors at high risk for symptom management and QOL difficulties. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Randomized controlled trial of maintaining quality of life during radiotherapy for advanced cancer

BACKGROUND:

Psychosocial interventions often address only 1 domain of quality of life (QOL), are offered to patients with early‐stage cancer, do not include the caregiver, and are delivered after cancer treatment has been completed.

METHODS:

In the current randomized controlled trial, 131 patients with advanced cancer who received radiotherapy and their caregivers were randomly assigned to either a 6‐session, structured, multidisciplinary intervention arm or a standard care arm. The average age of the patients was 58 years, the majority were male (63%), and tumor types varied (gastrointestinal [37%], brain [22%], head and neck [16%], lung [13%], and other [12%]). The six 90‐minute sessions addressed the 5 domains of QOL: cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. The in‐person intervention was followed by 10 brief telephone counseling sessions that took place over the next 6 months.

RESULTS:

Of the 117 patients who completed the study, overall QOL (assessed by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General [FACT‐G]) at week 4 was significantly higher in the intervention group (n = 54) compared with the standard arm control group (n = 63) (75.2 vs 68.7; P = .02). The 10 brief telephone contacts did not appear to impact QOL because at week 27 the groups had identical QOL (means of 77.6 and 77.7, respectively). There was no effect of the intervention noted on caregiver QOL.

CONCLUSIONS:

Participating in a 6‐session multidisciplinary intervention was found to be effective in maintaining the QOL of patients with advanced cancer who were actively receiving radiotherapy. The QOL and symptom burden of this population is striking, making it important to identify effective QOL strategies to implement in conjunction with cancer care. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Palliative Stenting With or Without Radiotherapy for Inoperable Esophageal Carcinoma: A Randomized Trial

Background

A majority of patients with esophageal cancer present with inoperable disease and require rapid and long-lasting palliation of dysphagia.

Study aim

To compare the duration of relief of dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer treated with esophageal stenting alone or a combination of esophageal stenting and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and to assess overall survival, treatment-related complications, and quality of life (QOL) in the two groups.

Patients and methods

Patients with inoperable esophageal cancer and with high grade dysphagia were randomized to receive esophageal stenting with self-expandable metal stent (Ultraflex) alone (Group I), versus a combination of stenting followed by EBRT (30 gray in ten divided fractions over 2?weeks) (Group II). Dysphagia relief, overall survival, QOL (using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, version 3), and treatment-related complications were assessed in the two groups.

Results

From April 2007 to March 2009, 84 patients were randomized to receive esophageal stent alone (42 patients) or a combination of stent and EBRT (42 patients). The two groups were comparable in demographics, tumor characteristics, indications for palliative treatment, and pretreatment dysphagia score. Dysphagia scores improved significantly in both groups following stent insertion. However, dysphagia relief was more sustained in Group II than in Group I (7 vs. 3?months, p?=?0.002). Overall median survival was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I (180 vs. 120?days, p?=?0.009). Addition of radiotherapy following stenting prolonged the mean dysphagia-free survival (118.6?±?55.8 vs. 96.8?±?43.0?days, p?=?0.054). There was significant improvement in all QOL parameters at 1?week after stenting. The QOL, however, significantly declined immediately after radiotherapy. There was no treatment-related mortality, and the incidence of complications was similar in the two groups.

Conclusion

Post-stenting EBRT effectively prolongs duration of dysphagia relief and improves overall survival in inoperable esophageal cancer.     

Quality of Life Differences between Younger and Older Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate quality of life (QOL) differences between younger (<50 years) and older (≥50 years) breast cancer survivors and to determine the unique effect of age on QOL after adjusting age-correlated variables.

Methods

One thousand two hundred fifty patients were enrolled. Clinicopatholgical and social parameters were reviewed and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast cancer instrument (FACT-B) and the Ladder of Life scale were used to measure the QOL. Among 1,250 eligible patients, 1,094 patients completed the questionnaire and were used for analysis. Chi-square test, t-test and a series of multiple regression analyses were conducted to verify age-related differences in QOL between two groups and to evaluate the unique contribution of age variable on QOL of breast cancer patients.

Results

Significant socio-demographic and clinical differences existed based on age categories, including education, job, time since surgery, chemotherapy and daily activity. Also, there were significant age-related differences in FACT-B total, physical well-being, social/family well-being, functional well-being and breast cancer subscale and in subjective QOL. Older patients ≥50 years showed significantly lower QOL than younger patients <50 years. However, after controlling for age-correlated variables including job, education, time since surgery, chemotherapy, and daily activity, there was no unique age difference in QOL among breast cancer survivors.

Conclusion

Our study results suggest that older women with breast carcinoma suffered significantly lower QOL, even though the unique age effect was not found. Therefore, various interventions for enhancing QOL for women with breast carcinoma should be provided to older age group.     

Quality of life and its associated factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving one course of transarterial chemoembolization treatment: a longitudinal study

Objective.

To (a) explore changes in physical and psychological distress and quality of life (QOL) and (b) identify the significant pre- and postdischarge factors related to changes in physical and mental domains of QOL over a period of 2 months in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving one course of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment.

Methods.

A longitudinal prospective design was used, with participants recruited from a teaching hospital in Northern Taiwan. Data were collected three times: within 3 days prior to discharge (T0) and at the fourth (T1) and eighth (T2) weeks after discharge. A set of structured questionnaires was used to assess participants'' QOL, symptom distress, anxiety, and depression. Changes in QOL and associated factors were examined using generalized estimating equations.

Results.

Eighty-nine patients were included in this study. Fatigue was reported to be the most distressful symptom after treatment. Overall QOL improved monthly after discharge. Change in physical QOL 2 months after TACE treatment was associated with age, diagnosis status, level of symptom distress, and depression after discharge. Change in mental QOL was significantly associated with gender, diagnosis status, and anxiety and depression after discharge.

Conclusions.

Health care providers should pay special attention to patients of older age, those who are male, and those who have higher levels of depression and anxiety after discharge. Designing personalized education programs before discharge for patients with newly diagnosed cancer versus those who have recurrent disease is suggested to help patients maintain a better QOL after discharge.     

Quality of life after neck dissection: a multicenter longitudinal study by the Japanese Clinical Study Group on Standardization of Treatment for Lymph Node Metastasis of Head and Neck Cancer

Background  

We performed a multicenter longitudinal study using our neck dissection questionnaire (NDQ) and arm abduction test (AAT) to assess the impact of rehabilitation and surgical modification on postoperative quality of life (QOL).     

Cardiovascular disease competes with breast cancer as the leading cause of death for older females diagnosed with breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction  

Many women who survive breast cancer die of causes unrelated to their cancer diagnosis. This study was undertaken to assess factors that are related to breast cancer mortality versus mortality from other causes and to describe the leading causes of death among older women diagnosed with breast cancer.     

A dance intervention for cancer survivors and their partners (RHYTHM)

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a ballroom dance intervention on improving quality of life (QOL) and relationship outcomes in cancer survivors and their partners.

Methods

We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial with two arms (Restoring Health in You (and Your Partner) through Movement, RHYTHM): (1) immediate dance intervention and (2) delayed intervention (wait-list control). The intervention consisted of 10 private weekly dance lessons and 2 practice parties over 12 weeks. Main outcomes were physical activity (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), functional capacity (6 Minute Walk Test), QOL (SF-36), Couples’ trust (Dyadic Trust Scale), and other dyadic outcomes. Exit interviews were completed by all participating couples.

Results

Thirty-one women survivors (68% breast cancer) and their partners participated. Survivors were 57.9 years old on average and 22.6% African American. Partners had similar characteristics. RHYTHM had significant positive effects on physical activity (p = 0.05), on the mental component of QOL (p = 0.04), on vitality (p = 0.03), and on the dyadic trust scale (p = 0.04). Couples expressed satisfaction with the intervention including appreciating the opportunity to spend time and exercise together. Survivors saw this light-intensity physical activity as easing them into becoming more physically active.

Conclusions

Light intensity ballroom dancing has the potential to improve cancer survivors’ QOL. Larger trials are needed to build strong support for this ubiquitous and acceptable activity.

Implications for cancer survivors

Ballroom dance may be an important tool for cancer survivors to return to a physically active life and improve QOL and other aspects of their intimate life.

     

Taste Alterations in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Neglected Side Effect?

Background.

Taste alterations (TAs) are a frequent but under-recognized treatment side effect in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT). CT regimens with different toxicity profiles may vary in their impact on TAs, but research on this topic is lacking. This study assesses the prevalence of TAs and their relation to sociodemographic and clinical variables, especially CT regimens. Furthermore, the association between TAs and quality of life (QOL) is investigated.

Patients and Methods.

TAs and QOL data were collected longitudinally in 197 cancer patients (lung cancer, 54.3%; pancreatic cancer, 19.3%; colorectal cancer, 26.4%; age, 65.2 ±10.4 years; male, 57.4%) who were receiving CT at the Department of Internal Medicine at Kufstein County Hospital, giving rise to a total of 1,024 assessment times. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire and two additional questions taken from the EORTC item bank concerning TAs. Statistical analyses were performed using mixed-effect models.

Results.

The study showed that the prevalence of TAs in chemotherapy patients is alarmingly high (69.9%). There were clear differences in TA scores among treatment groups: patients receiving irinotecan reported significantly more TAs than patients in other treatment groups; patients receiving a combination of gemcitabine and a platinum agent reported the lowest TAs. Additionally, significant associations between TAs and several QOL dimensions were found, especially with appetite loss and fatigue.

Conclusion.

The high prevalence of TAs and their impact on QOL in CT patients underscore the urgent need for increased attention to this side effect, both in research and in clinical practice.     

Health – related quality of life of Kuwaiti women with breast cancer: a comparative study using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire

Background  

The Kuwaiti perspective on quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer is important because it adds the contribution from a country where the disease affects women at a relatively younger age and seems to be more aggressive. We used the EORTC QLQ – C30 and its breast-specific module (BR-23) to highlight the health-related QOL of Kuwaiti women with breast cancer, in comparison with the international data, and assessed the socio-demographic and clinical variables that predict the five functional scales and global QOL (GQOL) scale of the QLQ – C30.     

An investigation of symptom burden and quality of life in Chinese chemo-naïve advanced lung cancer patients by using the Instrument-Cloud QOL System

Objectives

This study was designed to assess the disease-related symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) in Chinese chemo-naïve advanced lung cancer patients.

Materials and methods

Chemo-naïve patients with stage III/IV lung cancer were enrolled. 43 centers from 16 provinces of China participated in the study. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) scale and Cloud QOL System were applied in the study.

Results

376 eligible patients were analyzed. The three most common and severe symptoms were appetite loss (84.3%, scored 2.46), breathing difficulty (79.0%, scored 2.56), and cough (75.5%, scored 2.81). Significant correlation was found between QOL and symptoms. Regression analysis of QOL indicated that almost every symptom item (except shortness of breath) was the negative indicator of QOL. Moreover, pulmonary diseases, pleural metastases and brain metastases had significant negative impact on both symptoms and QOL. Relatively poor performance status affected the QOL only, while cardiovascular diseases merely affected the symptoms. And patients with EGFR mutations had less symptom burden than those with wild-type EGFR.

Conclusion

QOL evaluation by using the Cloud QOL System was feasible. Appetite loss, breathing difficulty and cough were the three most common and severe symptoms seen in Chinese chemo-naïve advanced lung cancer patients. Almost all symptoms had negative impact on QOL. And some clinical characteristics could predict the symptoms and QOL.     

Sarcopenia Is Associated with Quality of Life and Depression in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Background

Patients with advanced cancer often experience muscle wasting (sarcopenia), yet little is known about the characteristics associated with sarcopenia and the relationship between sarcopenia and patients’ quality of life (QOL) and mood.

Materials and Methods

As part of a randomized trial, we assessed baseline QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General [FACT‐G]) and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) in patients within 8 weeks of diagnosis of incurable lung or gastrointestinal cancer, and prior to randomization. Using computed tomography scans collected as part of routine clinical care, we assessed sarcopenia at the level of the third lumbar vertebra with validated sex‐specific cutoffs. We used logistic regression to explore characteristics associated with presence of sarcopenia. To examine associations between sarcopenia, QOL and mood, we used linear regression, adjusted for patients’ age, sex, marital status, education, and cancer type.

Results

Of 237 participants (mean age = 64.41 ± 10.93 years), the majority were male (54.0%) and married (70.5%) and had lung cancer (56.5%). Over half had sarcopenia (55.3%). Older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, p = .002) and education beyond high school (OR = 1.95, p = .047) were associated with greater likelihood of having sarcopenia, while female sex (OR = 0.25, p < .001) and higher body mass index (OR = 0.79, p < .001) correlated with lower likelihood of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was associated with worse QOL (FACT‐G: B = ?4.26, p = .048) and greater depression symptoms (HADS‐depression: B = ?1.56, p = .005).

Conclusion

Sarcopenia was highly prevalent among patients with newly diagnosed, incurable cancer. The associations of sarcopenia with worse QOL and depression symptoms highlight the need to address the issue of sarcopenia early in the course of illness.

Implications for Practice

This study found that sarcopenia, assessed using computed tomography scans acquired as part of routine clinical care, is highly prevalent in patients with newly diagnosed, incurable cancer. Notably, patients with sarcopenia reported worse quality of life and greater depression symptoms than those without sarcopenia. These findings highlight the importance of addressing muscle loss early in the course of illness among patients with incurable cancer. In the future, investigators should expand upon these findings to develop strategies for assessing and treating sarcopenia while striving to enhance the quality of life and mood outcomes of patients with advanced cancer.