Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion with ASEPT® Pleural Catheter: Quality of Life, Feasibility, and Patient Satisfaction

Objective. The PleurX® IPC system has been used extensively in the past. Over time, management of MPE with the PleurX system can be costly. The new ASEPT pleural catheter, through advantages in design, may ultimately show cost savings. The primary outcome of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of the ASEPT system.Method. This single centre, prospective study enrolled 50 patients with MPE, who were followed for as long as they were alive with a catheter. Quality of Life (QoL) was assessed before, at 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after ASEPT catheter insertion using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and LC13 questionnaires. Ease of catheter use and complications were reported by physician and community nurses.Results. 50 patients with MPE with a mean age of64.5±1.9, BDI of2.8±0.9, and ECOG score of3.0±0.7were recruited. No immediate or long-term complications were reported during the study period. Compared to precatheter insertion, global health status (−18,p<0.001), QLQ-C30 dyspnea (−39,p<0.00001), and LC13 dyspnea (−11,p<0.0005) significantly improved at 2 and 6 weeks after intervention. Provider surveys indicated favourable ease of use.Conclusion. The new ASEPT catheter offers a safe and effective option for the management of MPE.

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Dinamic Evaluation of Quality of Life and Late Effects in a Cohort of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Long Term Survivors

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.5584.5584 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 5584-5584

Author(s):

Debora Capelli ◽

Liviana Giostra ◽

Denise Maravalle ◽

Pietro Leoni ◽

Attilio Olivieri

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Late Effects ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Well Being ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

Acute Myeloid

Abstract Late effects and quality of life (QoL) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) long term adult survivors represent an unexplored field of interest. We prospectively evaluated late effects and dynamic QoL in 44 and 29 cured AML patients (17 <60 years, and 12 >60 years), treated at our department between 1997 and 2010 (7 Allogeneic, 16 Autologous Transplant, 21 chemotherapy alone). We administered EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-AN questionnaires at two different time points with a median interval of 29 months (range: 12-34 months). We stratifyed QoL scores by age at diagnosis, performance status (PS), Sorror Index, kind of leukemia treatment, comorbidity at diagnosis. We observed a worsening of emotional (-9.03; p= 0.04) and cognitive (-6.94; p= 0.05) EORTC scale scores, while FACTG (+2.9; p=0.03), emotional (+1.1; p= 0.04) and Functional (+2.25; p=0.001) well being FACT scores increased. Multivariate analysis showed that older patients had worse EORTC QLQ-C30 physical and emotional scale scores and higher values of pain symptoms in comparison to younger counterpart, with RR of 20.1 (p = 0.001), 22.7 ( p <0.04) and 18.4 (p=0.03) respectively. Elderly patients also had lower Total Outcome Index and FACT-An subscale scores (RR: 11.9, p= 0.02; and 8.77, p= 0.04 respectively). Sorror index > 2 was related to lower EORTC QLQ-C30 social scale and dyspnea scores (RR: 32.5; p=0.001 and 21.7; p=0.001 respectively) and FACT-An functional well being values (RR=3.9; p=0.001). We evaluated late effects occurring in 44 patients, since the third month after the end of treatment, with a median follow-up of 70 months (range: 12-166 months). The most frequent grade II-IV late toxicity was cardiac (3 arythmia, 9 cardiomyopathy) with 89% incidence in patients with Sorror HCT-CI score>2 at diagnosis vs 8.8% in the remaining patients and 0%, 20% and 55.5% in patients receiving respectively Daunorubicin, Idarubicin and at least two different anthracyclines. Sorror Index>2 was the only factor significantly predicting cardiotoxicity at the multivariate analysis with a RR of 82.7 (p=0.001). Twelve patients developped a transient hemochromatosis secondary to transfusions, treated with phlebotomy in 3 cases. Three patients (2 males and 1 female) had been fertile; all female patients developped menopause after Transplant. Four patients had secondary neoplasia consisting of Multiple Myeloma, breast cancer, myelodisplasia and axillary sarcoma. Our study underlines the role of Sorror Index at diagnosis in defining patients eligibility to cardio-prophylactic therapy. The analysis of larger series of cured AML patients are strongly needed in order to define guidelines for reducing long term treatment AML toxicity. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Quality of life after preoperative radio-/chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.e12083 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e12083-e12083 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christiane Matuschek ◽

Carolin Nestle-Kraemling ◽

Sylvia Wollandt ◽

Vanessa Speer ◽

Edwin Boelke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Preoperative Radiotherapy ◽

External Beam Radiation ◽

Beam Radiation ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq

e12083 Background: Preoperative radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (PRT/PCRT) represents an increasingly used clinical strategy in different tumor sites. However, concerns regarding a possible unfavorable influence on the clinical outcome still exist. The aim of the current study was to examine the long-term global health status in our series of LABC patients treated with PRT/PCRT followed by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy (ME). Methods: Of the 315 patients treated with PRT/PCRT in the years 1991 and 1999, 203 patients were still alive at long-term follow up of mean 17.7 years (range 14-21). Thirty-seven patients were lost to follow up and 58 patients refused to be contacted, which resulted in 107 patients (64 patients after BCS and 43 after mastectomy) being available and willing to undergo further clinical assessment. PRT/PCRT consisted of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with 50 Gy (5 × 2 Gy/week) to the breast and the supra-/ infraclavicular lymph nodes combined with a consecutive electron boost or (in case of BCS) a 10-Gy interstitial brachytherapy boost with Ir-192 prior to EBRT. Overall, chemotherapy was administered either prior to RT or concomitantly in the majority of patients. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires for overall QoL and EORTC QLQ-BR23 for breast-specific QoL. Results are reported using functional scales (body image, sexual functioning, sexual enjoyment, and future perspective) and symptom-related items (systemic therapy side effects, breast symptoms, arm symptoms, and upset by hair loss). The results were compared to a published reference cohort of n=2028 healthy adults (16-92 years), including n=1139 women (age 16-92 years). EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scales were also analyzed between different subgroups including an age-matched analysis with a two sided paired t-test. Results: In comparison with this healthy control group of 1139 women, we did not detect any significant differences for the functional scales measured by physical function, emotional well-being, cognitive, and social function as well as the symptom scales: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea and financial difficulties for both groups. However, significant inferior scores were found in the present study group regarding obstipation (p=0.013), loss of appetite (0.038), sleeping disorder (p=0.01) and dyspnoe (p=0.01). Conclusions: Taken together, retrospective as well as prospective data underline the feasibility of preoperative radiotherapy in breast cancer.

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Impact of functional outcomes on long-term quality of life after open retropubic radical prostectomy.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.9580 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 9580-9580

Author(s):

Bjoern Loeppenberg ◽

Christian von Bodman ◽

Marko Brock ◽

Joachim Noldus ◽

Jueri Palisaar

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Erectile Dysfunction ◽

Erectile Function ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Term Survival ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

The Impact

9580 Background: Patients who underwent open retropubic radical prostatectomy (ORRP) for prostate-cancer (PCA) have excellent long-term survival. Besides oncologic safety, recovery of continence and erectile function are highly important, as adverse functional outcomes may have a detrimental effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We report the long-term HRQOL of PCA survivors after ORRP using standardized tools. Methods: Men treated between August 2003 and December 2007 with ORRP for localized PCA at a single academic hospital received validated questionnaires (International consultation on incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ), International index of erectile function (IIEF-5), Erection hardness score (EHS), EORTC QLQ-C30) to assess functional outcomes and HRQOL. Results were correlated with the global-health score (GHS) of the EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess the impact of ORRP on HRQOL. Results: In the study period 1936 men underwent ORRP of whom 1156 (59.7%) received a nerve-sparing (NS) procedure. Questionnaire return-rate was 59% (n=1141) comprising the final study cohort. Median follow-up (FU) was 62 months. Mean age at surgery and FU was 63.7±6.2 and 69.2±6.2 years, respectively. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) occurred in 17.5% (n=200/1141) and 2% (n=40/1936) deceased. Mean GHS in the study population was 71.5±20.8. In the ICIQ 28% (n=320) scored 0 indicating complete continence and 9.9% (n=113) scored ≥11 indicating severe incontinence. The corresponding GHS was 78.1±19.5 and 55.4±21.8, respectively. 68.5% (n=782) of patients used no pads and 17.9% (n=204) ≥2 pads. Corresponding GHS scores were 74.9±19.8 and 58.9±20.7. Using the IIEF-5 in men who received NS, 24.1% (n=154) had no erectile dysfunction versus 50% (n=318) using the EHS. Corresponding GHS scores were 82.2±16.3 and 74.7±19.8, respectively. Patients with BCR had a GHS of 66.8±21.8 versus 72.5±20.5 for patients without. Men who achieved the Trifecta and Pentafecta criteria had a GHS of 83.1±15.1 and 83.3±15, respectively. Conclusions: Incontinence severely impacts the HRQOL of long-term survivors after ORRP while erectile dysfunction and BCR have a lesser effect. Every effort should be undertaken to maintain functional integrity.

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Quality of Life of Long Term Survivors with Hodgkin's Lymphoma After High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation and Conventional Chemotherapy.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.2495.2495 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 2495-2495

Author(s):

Julia Brandt ◽

Sascha Dietrich ◽

Julia Meissner ◽

Kai Neben ◽

Anthony D. Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

High Dose ◽

German Population ◽

Health State ◽

Conventional Chemotherapy ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

Long Term Survivors

Abstract Abstract 2495 Poster Board II-472 Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is frequently applied in eligible patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's disease. The toxicity of HDCT, however, might manifest itself in the respective patients' reduced quality of life (QoL). In this study we investigated the QoL of long term survivors after HDCT in comparison with patients after conventional chemotherapy and the healthy German population. Patients and Methods: QoL was evaluated with two standardized questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D. The cancer-specific EORTC-QLQ-C30 consists of thirty questions concerning three main categories: global health state, functional and symptomatic state. The single questions belonging to functional and symptomatic state can furthermore be grouped into different subcategories. The EQ-5D visualizes five dimensions of health: mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain, and anxiety. In addition to that, the visual analogue scale (VAS) is included to outline the patients' overall health state. A total of 98 patients were included in the study. 37 patients (13 female, 24 male) with a median age of 46 (range 23-72) received HDCT with PBSCT between 1986 and 2007. This group was compared with 61 patients (36 female, 25 male; median age 41, range 21-72) treated with conventional chemotherapy and supplementary radiation in our institution. In the conventional chemotherapy group BEACOPP was used in most cases (n=31), followed by ABVD (n=20), a combination of both (n=8) and ABV (n=2). All patients were in continuous clinical remission. Median follow-up for the HDCT group is 11 and for the conventional chemotherapy group 3.5 years. In addition, Qol of the patients was compared to QoL of healthy people on the basis of two studies about the general health status of the German population (R. Schwarz and A. Hinz: “Reference data for the quality of life questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 in the general German population,” European Journal of Cancer 37 [2001]: 1345-1351; H. H. König et al.: “Health Status of the German Population: Results of a Representative Survey Using the EuroQoL Questionnaire,” Gesundheitswesen 67 [2005]: 173-182). Results: In the HDCT group, the results of the questionnaires show a reduced QoL compared to the healthy population. Regarding the three main categories of the EORTC QLQ-C30, the mean sum score for global health state (ghs) is 68.69, for functional state (fs) 72.49 and for symptomatic state (ss) 21.55 (the ideal score being 100.00 for the first two items and 0.00 for the latter). The mean value for EQ-5D is 0.880 (ideal value: 1.000) and that for VAS is 71.60 (ideal value: 100.00). The one sample t-test evaluation shows that the decrease in QoL is significant with p<0.05 in all of the subcategories of the functional state; four of the nine subcategories of the symptomatic state, namely fatigue, dyspnoea, diarrhoea and financial difficulties. Compared to the group of patients who received conventional chemotherapy (ghs: 73.92; fs: 77.36; ss: 16.27), there is a tendency towards reduced QoL in patients with HDCT in all of the three main categories of the EORTC-QLQ-C30, in particular in the category of symptomatic state. However, these differences were not statistically significant, with the exception of the subcategory of dyspnoea (p<0.001). In the EQ-5D questionnaire, there was a trend for reduced QoL of patients after HDCT compared to conventional chemotherapy patients and healthy people, however these effects were not significant (p = 0.06 and p = 0.089). Conclusions: In this long term follow up study, QoL is reduced in patients after HDCT as well as in patients after conventional treatment compared to the healthy population. There was a trend that QoL might be worse in the HDCT group compared to the conventional therapy group; however this effect was not statistically significant. We conclude that the negative impact of both HDCT and conventional therapy on the QoL of long term survivors with Hodgkin's lymphoma should not be underestimated and should lead to the development of less toxic therapy strategies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Quality of Life Following Completion of Treatment for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with a Pediatric-Based Protocol.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2567.2567 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 2567-2567

Author(s):

Elena Liew ◽

Eshetu G Atenafu ◽

Shabbir M.H. Alibhai ◽

Joseph M. Brandwein

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Peripheral Neuropathy ◽

General Population ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq

Abstract Abstract 2567 Background: The use of pediatric-based protocols in the management of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) appears to result in improved survival, particularly in young adults. However, significant treatment-related toxicities have been identified with these regimens, including osteonecrosis and peripheral neuropathy. These are potentially disabling and can adversely affect quality of life (QoL); however, the long-term impact of such treatment regimens on health-related QoL in this adult population has not previously been reported. We therefore aimed to assess various dimensions of QoL in long-term survivors of adult ALL following treatment with a modified Dana Farber Cancer Institute 91-01 pediatric protocol, which is used as standard frontline therapy in our institution. Methods: QoL was self-reported using 5 psychometrically validated instruments: the EORTC QLQ-C30, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy fatigue subscale (FACT-F), the Brief Pain Inventory, the Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy Screen (SPSS), and the 9-item Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Standard analyses of each instrument were conducted. Where available, results were compared to published population normative data. Results: 29 patients (median age 41 years, range 21–64, 90% male), in continuous complete remission at a median of 28 months following completion of the two-year treatment protocol, were enrolled between March 2010 - April 2012. In comparison to reference data from a general population, the mean global health score on the EORTC QLQ-C30 was similar (p=0.68), but leukemia survivors had lower cognitive (p<0.001) and social (p<0.001) function scores, as well as more marked financial difficulty (p<0.001). The most prevalent and severe of the symptom items assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 were fatigue and pain, both of which showed significant inverse correlation with global health status and all functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social). Some degree of fatigue was reported by 83% of patients. Evaluation by FACT-F revealed worse fatigue scores for leukemia survivors compared with the general population (p=0.03). Mean pain intensity was higher in those more than 24 months from completion of treatment, vs. < 24 months (p=0.04). In the 9 patients (31%) experiencing moderate-severe pain, the most common sites were joints and neck/back. Of the 10 patients reporting regular use of analgesics, 4 were using opioids. The SPSS identified 12 patients (43%) with moderate or severe symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy (burning, paraesthesias and/or numbness), mostly affecting the lower extremities. Neuropathy was more severe in patients over age 40 (p<0.01). The PHQ-9 identified 4 patients (14%) with significant depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Long-term adult ALL survivors who were treated with a pediatric-based regimen generally do well in terms of global QoL. However, fatigue, joint-related pain and neuropathy symptoms are common and can negatively affect QoL. Impairments in the domains of cognitive function and social function, as well as the prominence of financial hardship in this population, are findings that warrant further exploration. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Long-term quality of life and nutritional results after laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery versus laparoscopic standard gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: Secondary outcomes of a multicenter, randomized phase 3 trial (SENORITA).

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.4054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 4054-4054

Author(s):

Bang Wool Eom ◽

Hong Man Yoon ◽

Young-Woo Kim ◽

Jae Seok Min ◽

Ji Yeong An ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Gastric Cancer ◽

Early Gastric Cancer ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Navigation Surgery ◽

Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq

4054 Background: Laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery (LSNNS) has been suggested as an alternative to laparoscopic standard gastrectomy (LSG) in early gastric cancer patients to improve long-term quality of life (QOL) and nutritional outcomes. Here, we present 3-year results of patient-reported quality of life (QOL) and nutrition, secondary endpoints of SENORITA trial. Methods: SENORITA is a prospective multicenter randomized phase 3 trial. Patients diagnosed with early gastric cancer of 3 cm or less were randomly allocated (1:1) to LSNNS for stomach preservation or LSG. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival. In this study, we analyzed QOL assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC stomach module (STO22) and nutritional parameters at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery. Linear mixed model analyses was used to evaluate differences between the two groups. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01804998. Results: From March 2013 to March 2017, a total of 580 patients were randomly assigned and 527 patients were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis population (258 in LSNNS and 269 in LSG group). QOL questionnaires were available for 99.4% of patients at baseline and then for 92.2%, 83.2%, 72.8%, and 66.9% at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery, respectively. The LSNNS group had higher physical function score than the LSG group at all time points (p = 0.002). However, there were no significant differences in other scales of EORTC QLQ-C30. Regarding EORTC QLQ-STO22, pain, eating restriction, anxiety, and taste scores were lower (better QOL) at all time points in the LSNNS group than in the LSG group (p = 0.002, < 0.001, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). The summary score of EORTC QLQ-STO22 was also higher in the LSNNS group representing better QOL (p < 0.001). Body mass index, hemoglobin and total protein were significantly higher in the LSNNS group compared with the LSG group. Conclusions: The LSNNS group had better physical function and less symptoms, including pain, eating restriction, anxiety, and taste change compared with the LSG group. Moreover, the nutritional parameters were better maintained in the LSNNS group than in the LSG group. These findings showed benefits of stomach preserving surgery in LSNNS and can be used to help decision making about treatment for patients with early gastric cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT01804998.

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Measuring quality of life in people living with and beyond cancer in the UK

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06105-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elisavet Moschopoulou ◽

◽

Jennifer Deane ◽

Morvwen Duncan ◽

Sharif A. Ismail ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Health Related Qol ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Health Related ◽

Correlation Tests ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

The Uk

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate measure of quality of life (QoL) for patients living with and beyond cancer. Methods One hundred eighty-two people attending cancer clinics in Central London at various stages post-treatment, completed a series of QoL measures: FACT-G, EORTC QLQ-C30 , IOCv2 (positive and negative subscales) and WEMWBS, a wellbeing measure. These measures were chosen as the commonest measures used in previous research. Correlation tests were used to assess the association between scales. Participants were also asked about pertinence and ease of completion. Results There was a significant positive correlation between the four domain scores of the two health-related QoL measures (.32 ≤ r ≤ .72, P < .001), and a significant large negative correlation between these and the negative IOCv2 subscale scores (− .39 ≤ r ≤ − .63, P < .001). There was a significant moderate positive correlation between positive IOCv2 subscale and WEMWBS scores (r = .35, P < .001). However, neither the FACT-G nor the EORTC showed any significant correlation with the positive IOCv2 subscale. Participants rated all measures similarly with regards to pertinence and ease of use. Conclusion There was little to choose between FACT-G, EORTC, and the negative IOC scales, any of which may be used to measure QoL. However, the two IOCv2 subscales capture unique aspects of QoL compared to the other measures. The IOCv2 can be used to identify those cancer survivors who would benefit from interventions to improve their QoL and to target specific needs thereby providing more holistic and personalised care beyond cancer treatment.

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Quality of Life in Breast and Colon Cancer Long-term Survivors: An Assessment with the Eortc Qlq-c30 and Sf-36 Questionnaires

Tumori Journal ◽

10.1177/030089160208800206 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 110-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Paola Mosconi ◽

Giovanni Apolone ◽

Sandro Barni ◽

Simona Secondino ◽

Alberto Sbanotto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Colon Cancer ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

Long Term Survivors

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Long-Term Survival and Quality of Life Analysis after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Lymphoma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.2268.2268 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 2268-2268

Author(s):

Sylvia Faict ◽

Nathan De Beule ◽

Ann De Becker ◽

Karel Fostier ◽

Fabienne Trullemans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Reference Population ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a frequent treatment option for various types of lymphoma. Few studies have addressed the occurrence of long-term morbidity and the quality of life (QoL) after ASCT. We analysed the overall survival (OS), the QoL and the impact of comorbidities before and after transplant in a consecutive cohort of lymphoma patients. Methods Patients transplanted in our center between 2003 and 2013 and with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included. Survival was analysed by Kaplan-Meier methodology and the impact of prognostic factors was examined by standard multivariate analysis. Patients were inquired to complete the Self-reported Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) as well as the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results of questionnaires were compared to a healthy reference population. Results A total of 85 lymphoma patients were identified with a median follow-up period of 76 months. The estimated OS probability was 62,7% (S.E. 5,5%) at 5 years and 60,8% (S.E. 5,6%) at 10,9 years. Indicators of a poor prognosis at time of transplantation were: age ≥ 60 years, high-intermediate to high-risk IPI for NHL and HCT-comorbidity index ≥ 3. Of long-term (> 1 year) survivors 40 completed the EORTC QLQ-C30. They experienced lower cognitive and social functioning and reported more fatigue, dyspnea and financial difficulties, when compared to the reference population. A small proportion of patients reported significant complaints related to pain (22,5%) and fatigue (10%). Very long-term survivors (over 5 years post ASCT) had a better physical and role functioning, with less fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia and loss of appetite as compared to patients who were transplanted more recently. Patients with more self-reported comorbidities post-ASCT did significantly worse in terms of QoL after transplantation. They experienced worse physical, role, cognitive and social functioning, and had more complaints about fatigue, pain, dyspnea, diarrhea and insomnia. Conclusion The presence of comorbidities pre-ASCT, as determined by HCT-CI >3, was associated with a worse OS. Surprisingly, the overall long-term impact of ASCT on the QOL was limited with adverse effects only related to cognitive and social functions. These negative consequences also decreased over time. Finally, the occurrence of comorbidities after transplantation was associated with worse QoL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Quality of Life of Long Term Survivors with Follicular Lymphoma After High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation and Conventional Chemotherapy.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3808.3808 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 3808-3808

Author(s):

Silke Andresen ◽

Juliane Brandt ◽

Sascha Dietrich ◽

Marie-Luise Memmer ◽

Anthony D. Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Follicular Lymphoma ◽

Healthy Population ◽

German Population ◽

Conventional Chemotherapy ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq

Abstract Abstract 3808 Introduction: High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is frequently applied in eligible patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL). The toxicity of HDCT, however, might manifest itself in the respective patients' reduced quality of life (QoL). In this study we investigated the QoL of long term survivors after HDCT in comparison with patients after conventional chemotherapy and the healthy German population. Patients and Methods: QoL was evaluated with the standardized questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D. A total of 124 patients with FL were included in the study. 63 patients (29 female) with a median age of 60.4 (range 41–80) received HDCT with PBSCT between 1992 and 2002. This group was compared with 61 patients (38 female) with a median age of 62.9, range 31–81) who were treated with Rituxmab and CHOP chemotherapy and supplementary radiation in our institution. 55 patients of 63 (88%) of the HDCT group and 25 of 61 (41%) patients of the conventional group were in continuous complete remission (CR). Median follow-up for the HDCT group is 9 years and for the conventional chemotherapy group it is 4.4 years. In addition, QoL of the patients was compared to QoL of healthy people on the basis of two studies about the general health status of the German population (R. Schwarz and A. Hinz: “Reference data for the quality of life questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 in the general German population,” European Journal of Cancer 37 [2001]: 1345–1351; H. H. König et al.: “Health Status of the German Population: Results of a Representative Survey Using the EuroQoL Questionnaire,” Gesundheitswesen 67 [2005]: 173–182). Results: In the HDCT group, the results of the questionnaires show a reduced QoL compared to the healthy population. Regarding the three main categories of the EORTC QLQ-C30, the mean sum score for global health state (ghs) is 71.38, for functional state (fs) 78.38 and for symptomatic state (ss) 18.60 (the ideal score being 100.00 for the first two items and 0.00 for the latter). The mean value for EQ-5D is 0.911 (ideal value: 1.000) and that for VAS is 75.52 (ideal value: 100.00). The one sample t-test evaluation shows that the decrease in QoL is significant with p<0.05 in four of five of the subcategories of the functional state; six of the nine subcategories of the symptomatic state, namely fatigue, dyspnoea, insomnia, constipation, diarrhoea and financial difficulties. Patients who received conventional chemotherapy (ghs: 67.04; fs: 70.49; ss: 25.01) also showed a reduced QoL compared to the healthy population in all of the three main categories of the EORTC-QLQ-C30, in particular in the category of functional and symptomatic state. These differences were statistically significant in all subcategories of the functional state namely physical,-role,-emotional,-cognitive,- and social functioning (p=0.001). The differences of the symptomatic state were statistically significant in seven of nine subcategories, namely fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea and financial difficulties. When QoL of the HDCT group and the conventional therapy group were compared, there were significant differences in favor of the HDCT group only in the functional subcategory social functioning (p=0.04) and the symptomatic subcategory pain (p=0.01), with no significant differences in all other categories. In the EQ-5D questionnaire, we found a reduced QoL in patients after conventional chemotherapy compared to HDCT patients (p=0.05) and healthy people (p=0.02). Conclusions: In this long term follow up study, we found a reduced QoL in FL patients after conventional chemotherapy as well as after HDCT compared to the healthy population. There was a tendency of a better QoL in patients of the HDCT group compared to patients of the conventional chemotherapy group, maybe due to a higher proportion of patients in CR or a longer follow up period in the HDCT group. We conclude that the negative impact of both HDCT and conventional therapy on QoL of patients with follicular lymphoma should not be underestimated and should lead to the development of less toxic therapy strategies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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