scholarly journals Health-related quality of life and overall survival: a prospective study in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. van Nieuwenhuizen ◽  
L. M. Buffart ◽  
J. A. Langendijk ◽  
M. R. Vergeer ◽  
J. Voortman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Purpose We aimed to examine whether pre-treatment, post-treatment and change in health-related quality of Life (HRQoL) is associated with survival, in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods We included 948 newly diagnosed HNC patients treated with primary or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy with curative intent. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was assessed pre-treatment and at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post-treatment. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to examine whether HRQoL at all time points and changes in HRQoL over time were associated with survival, after adjusting for demographic, clinical and lifestyle-related variables. Results Higher HRQoL scores were significantly associated with improved 5-year overall survival at all time points, except for the subscale global QoL at 6 weeks. Changes in HRQoL at 6 weeks post-treatment compared to pre-treatment were not significantly associated with survival. Changes in physical (HR: 0.88 95% CI: 0.82–0.96) and emotional functioning (HR: 0.90 95% CI: 0.85–0.96) from pre-treatment to 6 months post-treatment and changes in global QOL, and physical, emotional, and social functioning from pre-treatment to 12 months post-treatment were significantly associated with survival. Conclusion Higher HRQoL reported pre-treatment and post-treatment (6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months) are significantly associated with improved survival, as well as changes in HRQoL at 6 and 12 months compared to pre-treatment. Our results highlight the value of monitoring HRQoL and to identify those patients that report decreased or deteriorated HRQOL. This may help to further improve cancer care in a timely and efficient manner.

scholarly journals Drawing: A novel approach to understanding appearance change in people following treatment for head and neck cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211882034
Author(s):  
Sam Harding ◽  
John Bradford
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Pre Treatment

Objectives: Appearance is a factor within head and neck cancer health-related quality of life measures; however, the issue of self-perceived appearance has received scant attention. Self-portraiture may provide insight into the patient’s perspective, allowing people to provide viewpoints that are not easily accessible. This research investigates the methodology of drawing and responses from patient-completed questionnaires in a head and neck cancer population. Methods: A sample of 30 people at least 3 months post-treatment for head and neck cancer were recruited. Participants completed the Derriford Appearance Scale, University of Washington Quality of Life scale, and two drawings: (1) how they recall themselves pre-treatment and (2) how they see themselves post-treatment. They were asked to discuss the methodology and their experience of it. Results: Correlations with Derriford Appearance Scale, University of Washington Quality of Life scale, and size drawings failed to find relationships between these variables. Post-treatment drawings were significantly smaller than pre-treatment. Qualitative analysis of the drawings found differences between the images. Participants related how drawing gave an opportunity to voice concerns that questionnaires and clinic appointments did not. Conclusion: Drawing can elicit distinctly different information about a person following treatment for head and neck cancer than that provided by health-related quality of life measures. Further research would clarify if clinical opinion matches patients’ drawing.

scholarly journals Prevalence and 11-year incidence of common eye diseases and their relation to health-related quality of life, mental health, and visual impairment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petri K. M. Purola ◽  
Janika E. Nättinen ◽  
Matti U. I. Ojamo ◽  
Seppo V. P. Koskinen ◽  
Harri A. Rissanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Purpose To study the prevalence and incidence of the most common eye diseases and their relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, psychological distress, and visual impairment in the aging population of Finland. Methods Our study was based on two nationwide health surveys conducted in 2000 and 2011. Eye disease status data were obtained from 7379 and 5710 individuals aged 30 + years, of whom 4620 partook in both time points. Both surveys included identical indicators of HRQoL (EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], 15D), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12 [GHQ-12]), visual acuity, and self-reported eye diseases. We assessed the impact of known eye diseases on these factors, adjusted for age, gender, and co-morbidities. Results Prevalence of self-reported eye diseases was 3.1/2.7% for glaucoma, 8.1/11.4% for cataract, and 3.4/3.8% for retinal degeneration in 2000 and 2011, and the average incidence between 2000 and 2011 was 22, 109, and 35 /year/10,000 individuals, respectively. These eye diseases were associated with a significant decrease in EQ-5D and 15D index scores in both time points. BDI and GHQ-12 scores were also worsened, with some variation between different eye diseases. Impaired vision was, however, the strongest determinant of declined HRQoL. During the 11-year follow-up the effect of eye diseases on HRQoL and mental health diminished. Conclusion Declined HRQoL associated with eye diseases is more related to impaired vision than the awareness of the disease itself, and this declining effect diminished during the follow-up. Therefore, information directed to the public on the risks and prevention of blindness can and should be strengthened to prevent the deleterious effects of visual impairment.

scholarly journals Efficacy of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard treatment in advanced pancreatic cancer: study protocol for a multi-centre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial (MISTRAL)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Wode ◽  
Johanna Hök Nordberg ◽  
Gunver Sophia Kienle ◽  
Nils Elander ◽  
Britt-Marie Bernhardson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Mistletoe Extract ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Most pancreatic cancer patients present with advanced stage at diagnosis with extremely short expected survival and few treatment options. A multimodal palliative approach is necessary for symptom relief and optimisation of health-related quality of life. In a recent open-label trial of mistletoe extract for advanced pancreatic cancer patients not eligible for chemotherapy, promising results on improved overall survival and better health-related quality of life were reported. The objective of the present study is to assess the value of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard 18 treatment (palliative chemotherapy or best supportive care) in advanced pancreatic cancer patients with 19 regard to overall survival and health-related quality of life. Methods The trial is prospective, randomised, double-blind, multicentre, parallel group and placebo-controlled. In total 290 participants are randomly assigned to placebo or mistletoe extract given subcutaneously in increasing dosage from 0.01mg to 20mg three times per week for nine months. Stratification is performed for site and palliative chemotherapy. Main inclusion criteria are advanced pancreatic cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status zero to two; main exclusion criteria are life expectancy less than four weeks and neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreas. Two ancillary studies on sub-sets of participants are nested in the trial: a biomarker study collecting blood samples and a cross-sectional qualitative study with semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first placebo-controlled randomised trial assessing the impact of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard treatment on overall survival and health-related quality of life in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The presented trial with its two nested ancillary studies exploring biomarkers and patient experiences is expected to give new insights into the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Trial registration EU Clinical Trial Register, EudraCT Number 2014-004552-64. Registered 19 January 2016, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2014-004552-64/SE

Psychological Distress and Health-Related Quality of Life among Head and Neck Cancer Patients during the First Year after Treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Benedetta Ninu ◽  
Guido Miccinesi ◽  
Francesco Bulli ◽  
Alessio De Massimi ◽  
Maria Grazia Muraca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
First Year ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

scholarly journals Impact of exercise with TheraBite device on trismus and health-related quality of life: A prospective study

2020 ◽  
pp. 014556132096172
Author(s):  
Charlotte Montalvo ◽  
Caterina Finizia ◽  
Nina Pauli ◽  
Bodil Fagerberg-Mohlin ◽  
Paulin Andréll
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Oncologic Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Trismus is a common symptom in patients with head and neck cancer that affects many aspects of daily life negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of structured exercise with the jaw-mobilizing device TheraBite on trismus, trismus-related symptomatology, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with head and neck cancer. Fifteen patients with trismus (maximum interincisal opening [MIO] ≤35 mm) after oncologic treatment for head and neck cancer, underwent a 10-week exercise program with the TheraBite device and were followed regularly. Time between oncologic treatment and start of TheraBite exercise ranged from 0.7 to 14.8 years (average 6.2 years). MIO, trismus-related symptoms, and HRQL was assessed before and after exercise and after 6 months. A significant improvement in MIO was observed post-exercise (3.5 mm, 15.3%, p = 0.0002) and after 6-month of follow-up (4.7 mm, 22.1%, p = 0.0029). A statistically significant correlation was found between increased MIO and fewer trismus-related symptoms. In conclusion, exercise with TheraBite improved MIO and trismus-related symptoms in patients with trismus secondary to head and neck cancer. Structured exercise with the jaw-mobilizing device seems to be beneficial for patients with trismus independent of time since oncologic treatment.

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