Relative contribution of the karnofsky performance status scale in a multi-measure assessment of quality of life in cancer patients

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serrhel G. Adams ◽  
Dana M. Britt ◽  
Phillip R. Godding ◽  
Tawfig I. Khansur ◽  
Bernard B. Bulcourf
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status Scale ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Performance Status Scale

Quality of Life After Brainstem Cavernoma Surgery in 71 Patients

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 689-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Dukatz ◽  
Johannes Sarnthein ◽  
Helmut Sitter ◽  
Oliver Bozinov ◽  
Ludwig Benes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status Scale ◽  
Short Form 36 ◽  
Brainstem Cavernoma ◽  
Performance Status Scale

Abstract BACKGROUND: Symptomatic patients with a brainstem cavernoma are treated surgically with increasing frequency. Generally, the patient's benefit from this difficult surgical intervention is quantified by the assessment of neurological symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To document the beneficial effect of surgery in a larger patient population by assessing the postoperative quality of life (QoL). METHODS: In a series of 71 surgically treated patients, a detailed neurological status was assessed by Patzold Rating and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale. Patients rated their QoL with the Short Form 36 Health Survey. To document the effect of surgery on QoL, we devised a supplementary questionnaire. The last 24 patients completed Short Form 36 Health Survey pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Karnofsky Performance Status Scale improved in 44 of 71 surgical patients (62%), remained unchanged in 19 (27%), and deteriorated in 8 (11%) individuals. Patzold Rating showed a more detailed picture of the neurological symptoms. It correlated significantly with Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, which underscores its usefulness for patients with brainstem lesions. In the Short Form 36 Health Survey score, the Mental Component Summary improved with surgery (paired test, P = .015). In addition, 58 individuals (82%) declared a clear subjective benefit of surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of this large series support the notion that microsurgical removal of a brainstem cavernoma represents an effective therapy in experienced hands and is generally associated with good clinical outcome, both neurologically and in terms of QoL.

Epoetin beta treatment of chemotherapy induced anemia in cancer patients: Results of a large prospective cohort study

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19582-19582 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ray-Coquard ◽  
J. Tourani ◽  
T. Facon ◽  
C. Haïoun ◽  
B. Audhuy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Transferrin Saturation ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
Endogenous Erythropoietin ◽  
Epoetin Beta

19582 Background: The efficacy of epoetin beta (E) is well documented in clinical trials in anemic cancer patients (pts). This study was conducted to assess E use, efficacy, safety and effect on quality of life in cancer pts, in usual practice. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, longitudinal, observational French study assessed a 4-month follow-up of informed consent cancer pts (including both solid tumors (ST) and hematological malignancies (H)) treated with E for chemotherapy-related anemia. Data were collected between January 2005 and March 2006. Results: Among 3100 pts enrolled by 423 specialists, 2810 were analysed. Pts’ characteristics were: mean age 63±13 yrs, male 50%, performance status 0 (13%), 1 (46%), =2 (41%). 74% of pts suffered from a ST and 26% from a H. The most frequent cancer types were lung (22%), breast (15%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (12%), colon (9%), multiple myeloma (7%), ovary (7%), prostate (3%), head and neck (3%) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (3%). The mean time from diagnosis to inclusion was 2 yrs. 52% of pts received their first line of chemotherapy, 25% their second one. 55% and 10% of ST and H pts received platinum based regimen, respectively. At inclusion, hemoglobin levels were distributed as follows: < 9 g/dl (ST 14%, H 32%), [9–11 [g/dl (ST 70%, H 56%), [11–13 [g/dl (ST 16%, H 11%). Regarding pre-treatment biological tests, endogenous erythropoietin rate was controlled for only 3% of pts (ST 1% and H 7%, median 37 IU/ml [0; 388]), ferritin was available for 15% of pts (ST 11% and H 28%), transferrin saturation for 12% of pts (ST 10% and H 17%) and reticulocytes for 11% of pts (ST 7% and H 24%). At initiation, pts received a median dose of 30000 U/week of E on a once weekly regimen schedule for 98% of pts. E was associated with iron supplementation in 49% and 13% of ST and H pts, and with blood transfusion in 5% and 15% of ST and H pts. Conclusion: These preliminary results describe baseline characteristics of cancer patients treated with epoetin beta. The study suggests very few biological controls before initiation of E in routine practice. Final analyses of hemoglobin evolution and quality of life will be presented. [Table: see text]

Quality of life in patients with advanced gastroesophageal (GE) adenocarcinoma treated with modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil (mDCF).

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 92-92
Author(s):  
E. C. Smyth ◽  
Y. Y. Janjigian ◽  
E. Robinson ◽  
E. C. Sheehy ◽  
I. Karpenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Score Change ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Phase Ii Studies ◽  
Significant Toxicity

92 Background: Although DCF is a standard first line chemotherapy option for advanced GE adenocarcinoma, the regimen is associated with significant toxicity. Even so, time to detriment in quality of life (QoL) was significantly better with parent DCF than CF (Ajani, JCO 2007). Modified DCF (mDCF) has demonstrated less toxicity than parent DCF without compromising efficacy in two phase II studies (Shah, GI ASCO 2010; Kelsen, ASCO 2009). We report the quality of life (QoL) over time of patients receiving mDCF on these two clinical trials. Methods: Patients (pts) treated on two protocols utilizing the mDCF regimen, either alone or in combination with bevacizumab, were administered standard EORTC QoL questionnaires (QLC –C30 version 3), at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months (m). Chemotherapy and QoL assessment continued until disease progression. Mean score change from baseline was assessed using Wilcoxon test. Results: 94 eligible pts have been enrolled on both studies; QoL questionnaires are available on 87 pts. 74% are male, median age 58 years (range 28-78), with baseline Karnofsky performance status of 80% (range 70-100). Patient compliance with QoL assessment was high at baseline but diminished with time; 89% of pts completed the questionnaire at baseline and 41% at 12m. There was no significant detriment in EORTC QOL scores (including global health, physical and social functioning and fatigue) during treatment with mDCF (Table). Conclusions: In patients with advanced GE cancer, we observed no detriment in QoL scores in patients receiving mDCF therapy. Specifically, physical and social functioning, fatigue, appetite, and global heath QoL scores were maintained at baseline levels during the first 6 months of therapy, and appear to improve in patients who remained on protocol therapy during the next 6 months of treatment. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Quality of life after free-flap tongue reconstruction

2008 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 550-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
D M Hartl ◽  
S Dauchy ◽  
C Escande ◽  
E Bretagne ◽  
F Janot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Tongue Base ◽  
Flap Reconstruction ◽  
Free Flap Reconstruction ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Performance Status Scale

AbstractObjective:To analyse correlations between quality of life measures, aspiration and extent of surgical resection in patients who have undergone free-flap tongue reconstruction.Patients and methods:Nine consecutive patients (seven men and two women; average age 51 years) who had been diagnosed with T4a carcinoma of the mobile tongue and/or tongue base and treated by glossectomy, free-flap reconstruction, and either radiation therapy or chemoradiation responded to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck-35 questionnaire, the performance status scale questionnaire and the hospital anxiety–depression scale questionnaire, an average of 43 months after treatment (range 18–83 months). Aspiration was evaluated by fibre-optic laryngoscopy. Correlations between quality of life domain scores, extent of surgery and the presence of aspiration were evaluated using non-parametric statistical analysis.Results:Scores for the swallowing and aspiration domains of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck-35 questionnaire were significantly correlated with the extent of tongue base resection (Spearman's correlation, p = 0.037 and 0.042, respectively). Despite a strong correlation between the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck-35 questionnaire results and the performance status scale global scores (correlation coefficient = 0.89, p = 0.048), the performance status scale domain scores were not correlated with the extent of tongue resection. Clinically apparent aspiration was not correlated with the extent of tongue resection, nor were the anxiety or depression scores. However, clinically apparent aspiration was significantly related to the swallowing and aspiration domain scores of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck-35 questionnaire (p = 0.017 in both cases).Conclusions:Our results imply that the volume of tongue base resection is a major factor in swallowing- and aspiration-related quality of life following tongue resection and free-flap reconstruction. Free-flap reconstruction does not seem to palliate the effect of the loss of functional tongue base volume, as regards swallowing-related quality of life.

scholarly journals Validating an Instrument for Direct Patient Reporting of Distress and Chemotherapy-Related Toxicity among South African Cancer Patients

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Charmaine L. Blanchard ◽  
Keletso Mmoledi ◽  
Michael H. Antoni ◽  
Georgia Demetriou ◽  
Maureen Joffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
South African ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Summary Score ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Patient Reported

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) for monitoring treatment toxicity improve quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcomes. However, no such PROMs exist for sub-Saharan African cancer patients. We aimed to validate the Patient Reported Symptoms-South Africa (PRS-SA) survey, a novel PROM for measuring distress and chemotherapy-related symptoms in South African cancer patients. We enrolled patients at the oncology clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, Johannesburg. At three separate visits, participants simultaneously completed the PRS-SA survey and several previously validated questionnaires. We constructed a receiver operator characteristics curve for distress levels predicting a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score ≥15. We evaluated construct validity for symptom items by comparing severity to the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) summary score (Pearson correlation tests) and ECOG performance status (Mann–Whitney U tests). We assessed symptom item responsiveness by comparing change in severity to change in QLQ-C30 summary score and comparing standardized mean scores with negative, no, or positive change on the Global Impression of Change (GIC) questionnaire (Jockheere–Terpstra trend test). Overall, 196 participants with solid tumors completed instruments. A distress score of 4 had 82% sensitivity and 55% specificity for clinical depression/anxiety. All symptom items showed construct validity by association with either QLQ-C30 score or performance status (highest p = 0.03). All but cough showed responsiveness to change in QLQ-C30 score (highest p = 0.045). In South African cancer patients, the PRS-SA’s stress scale behaves similarly to the distress thermometer in other populations, and the symptom items demonstrated construct validity and responsiveness. Of note, 46% and 74% of participants who completed the PRS-SA in English or isiZulu, respectively, required assistance reading half or more of the instrument.

scholarly journals Long Survival in a Patient with Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. CMO.S317
Author(s):  
G Sanna ◽  
G Petralia ◽  
M Cossu Rocca ◽  
C Marenghi ◽  
F Nolè
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Good Control ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Whole Brain Irradiation ◽  
Her Family

The incidence of brain metastases (BMs) is apparently rising in patients with advanced breast cancer, possibly due to better therapeutic approaches for control of metastatic growth in other organs. Occurrence of BMs severely affects quality of life and is associated with dire prognosis. In this short report we describe the clinical case of a 47 year old woman, with BMs from breast cancer diagnosed in May 2001. The patient was treated with whole brain irradiation and radiosurgery, with initial control of BMs. Due to previous radiotherapy fields and doses, further local treatments are not feasible anymore. Since September 2006, the patient has been receiving systemic therapy with Lapatinib at the dose of 1500 mg/die continuously, with a good control of cerebral, liver and nodal metastasis after one year of treatment (September 2007). Her quality of life is acceptable, her Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is more than 70%, and she takes care of her family, and has not experienced neuro-cognitive dysfunction.

Rates and risks of suicidality in young adults (YAs) with advanced cancer.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9015-9015
Author(s):  
Kelly Marie Trevino ◽  
Karen Fasciano ◽  
Holly Gwen Prigerson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Targeted Interventions

9015 Background: Suicide rates in YA cancer patients are higher than in the general population. Although cancer is associated with a four-fold increase in the likelihood of a suicide attempt, little is known about suicidality in YAs with cancer. This study examined rates and clinical risk factors associated with suicidality in a sample of YAs with advanced cancer. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted between 4/2010 and 9/2011 with 70 YA advanced cancer patients (range 20-40 yrs, M=33.97, SD=5.61) receiving care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Validated measures assessed suicidality (i.e., Yale Evaluation of Suicidality), quality of life, major depressive disorder, grief over cancer-related losses, and social support. Scores on the suicidality measure were dichotomized into positive screen = 1 and negative screen = 0. Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationship between suicidality and participant characteristics and psychosocial variables, controlling for confounding variables. Results: Over one-fifth (21.4%) of the sample screened positive for suicidality. Female gender χ2(1, N = 70) = 4.95, p = .026), breast compared with other cancer diagnosis χ2(1, N = 70) = 5.66, p = .017), and better performance status (t(68) = 3.13, p < .01) were associated with lower rates of suicidality. Participants who met criteria for current (OR [95% CI] 8.67 [1.78, 42.22]) or lifetime major depressive disorder (5.38 [1.60, 18.12]) endorsed higher rates of suicidality. Better overall (.97 [.94, .99]), psychological (.93 [.87, .94]), and existential quality of life (.91 [.85, .98]) were associated with reduced suicidality risk. More severe grief was associated with greater risk (1.15 [1.04, 1.28]) whereas greater social support was associated with lower suicidality risk (.85 [.74, .97]). Conclusions: YAs with advanced cancer reported higher rates of suicidality than observed in other age groups. Developmentally targeted interventions that promote physical function, effectively treat depression, improve quality of life and reduce grief, and provide opportunities for social support may reduce rates of and risk for suicidality in this population.

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