scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Life in Danish Patients with Multiple Myeloma; Results from an Ongoing Longitudinal National Survey

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1638-1638
Author(s):  
Louise Redder ◽  
Sören Möller ◽  
Anna Thit Johnsen ◽  
Mary Jarden ◽  
Christen lykkegaard Andersen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The severe, acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), was detected for the first time in Wuhan, China in December 2019. In general, governments and health authorities have taken precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce viral spread and protect vulnerable citizens. Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have an increased risk of being infected with COVID-19 and developing a fatal course due to the MM-related immunodeficiency (Glenthøj, A et al. PMID: 32939853). To some extent, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed standard of care towards extended use of oral regimens and limiting hospital visits (Terpos E et al.PMID: 32444866). We aimed to investigate the quality of life (QoL) of Danish patients with MM during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that patients living alone and those under the age of 65 years, as a consequence of the pandemic, would experience impaired QoL due to social isolation and fear of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The Danish prospective, nation-wide, observational survey "Quality of life in Danish patients with multiple myeloma" (QoL-MM) (Nielsen LK et al. PMID: 30656677) framed our study. In QoL-MM, survey data are obtained at enrolment and subsequently at 12 follow-up time points over a two-year period. The following PRO questionnaires are used; the cancer-generic instrument of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life (EORTC) QLQ-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Multiple Myeloma module QLQ-MY20 (EORTC QLQ-MY20), the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy module (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) and the Short-form health survey version 2 (SF12v2). In the present study, a subpopulation of the QoL-MM cohort was constructed, based on the response time of the questionnaires. QoL was compared using patient-reported outcome (PRO) data obtained before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at group level. In a Danish context, first wave was defined as April to June 2020 and the second wave as November 2020 to January 2021. The QoL data were analyzed using mixed effects linear regression, with a year-period-interaction. Pre-COVID versus COVID mean domain score difference was considered evident, if the difference was both statistically significant (p-value <0.05) and clinically relevant, using minimal important difference (MID) defined as 0.3 standard deviation of the mean score. Results: The study included 616 patients (63% newly diagnosed and 37% relapsed) with a mean age of 68.2 years (standard deviation, 9.2); 40% were females; 76% were married/cohabiting, and 24% single. Questionnaire completion rates during the investigated periods were between 96% and 97%. In total, 1,685 completed sets of questionnaires were included in the analyses. The patients reported no statistically significant and clinically relevant difference in QoL during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to one year earlier, see table 1. When analyzing the subpopulations, we found that patients below 65 years reported improved physical health summaries (p-value 0.016), decreased fatigue (p-value < 0.001), less insomnia (p-value 0.002) and improved role functioning (p-value <0.001) during the first wave, reaching both statistical significance and the threshold of MID. The group of patients living alone reported improved role functioning during the first wave, reaching both statistical significance (p-value <0.001) and the threshold of MID. These findings were not evident during the second wave, see table 1. Conclusion: As a group, Danish patients with MM did not report impaired QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrary, we observed improvements in some domains in patients below 65 years. Our observations indicate that the patients with MM have felt cared for and in good hands during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, part of the reason for our finding of no negative impact on QoL by the pandemic could be that the questionnaires used were not developed to capture the impact of the pandemic on QoL. Importantly, our results suggest that QoL data collected in clinical trials during the pandemic allow interpretation without adjusting for the impact of the pandemic. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Redder: Janssen-Ciliag: Research Funding. Frederiksen: Alexion: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding.

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Ledinski Ficko ◽  
Vlatko Pejsa ◽  
Vesna Zadnik

Abstract Background The impact of disease and treatment on the patient’s overall well-being and functioning is a topic of growing interest in clinical research and practice. The aim of this study is to obtain reference data on quality of life of Croatian general population. Further, we aim to assess the impact of the disease and its primary systemic treatment on their health related quality of life (HrQoL) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Patients and methods Participants for the first part of the study were randomly selected from adult Croatian population. In the clinical part of the study MM patients were included as prospectively diagnosed within two years in two major Croatian haematological centres. The EORTC QLQ-C30 in both trials and QLQ-MY20 in MM patients only were applied for HrQoL assessment. Results Gender, age and place of residence have great impact on quality of life scores in Croatian population. The MM patients at the time of diagnosis have lower QLQ-C30 scores for global quality of life, functional and symptom scale scores, as well as single items. The type of disease followed by the choice of therapy options are important HrQoL determinants. Conclusions The norm values available now for Croatian population will help to interpret HrQoL for clinicians and aid in planning cancer care interventions. This study identified treatment effect consistent with those from other observational studies and provided new data on HrQoL across two different treatment choices for MM patients.


Author(s):  
Albert Tuca Rodríguez ◽  
Miguel Núñez Viejo ◽  
Pablo Maradey ◽  
Jaume Canal-Sotelo ◽  
Plácido Guardia Mancilla ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of individualized management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) on quality of life (QoL) of patients with advanced cancer in clinical practice. Methods A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted in patients with advanced cancer that were assisted by palliative care units. QoL was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline (V0) and after 28 days (V28) of individualized BTcP therapy. Data on background pain, BTcP, comorbidities, and frailty were also recorded. Results Ninety-three patients completed the study. Intensity, duration, and number of BTcP episodes were reduced (p < 0.001) at V28 with individualized therapy. Transmucosal fentanyl was used in 93.8% of patients, mainly by sublingual route. Fentanyl titration was initiated at low doses (78.3% of patients received doses of 67 μg, 100 μg, or 133 μg) according to physician evaluation. At V28, mean perception of global health status had increased from 31.1 to 53.1 (p < 0.001). All scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 significantly improved (p < 0.001) except physical functioning, diarrhea, and financial difficulties. Pain scale improved from 73.6 ± 22.6 to 35.7 ± 22.3 (p < 0.001). Moreover, 85.9% of patients reported pain improvement. Probability of no ≥ 25% improvement in QoL was significantly higher in patients ≥ 65 years old (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.001–1.079) and patients hospitalized at baseline (OR 4.126; 95% CI 1.227–13.873). Conclusion Individualized BTcP therapy improved QoL of patients with advanced cancer. Transmucosal fentanyl at low doses was the most used drug. Trial registration This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov database (NCT02840500) on July 19, 2016.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 354-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Rauch ◽  
Joelle Miny ◽  
Thierry Conroy ◽  
Lionel Neyton ◽  
Francis Guillemin

Purpose To identify factors affecting the quality of life (QoL) of disease-free survivors of rectal cancer. Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-one patients in complete remission more than 2 years after diagnosis were asked to complete three QoL questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30; its colorectal module, QLQ-CR38; and the Duke generic instrument. Results Patients reported less pain (P = .002) than did controls drawn from the general population. EORTC QLQ-C30 physical scores were also higher among rectal cancer survivors than in the general Norwegian or German population (P = .0005 and P = .002, respectively). Unexpectedly, stoma patients reported better social functioning than did nonstoma patients (P = .005), with less anxiety (P = .008) and higher self-esteem (P = .0002). In the present authors' experience, the QLQ-CR38 does not discriminate between these groups. Residual abdominal or pelvic pain and constipation had the most negative influence on QoL. Conclusion QoL is high among rectal cancer survivors, including stoma patients. Simultaneous use of several QoL questionnaires appears to have value in follow-up and in monitoring the effects of therapy. The impact of residual pain and constipation on long-term QoL should be considered when establishing a treatment regimen.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4735-4735
Author(s):  
Catherine D Williams ◽  
Irina Proskorovsky ◽  
Philip Lewis ◽  
K. Jack Ishak ◽  
Krista A Payne ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4735 Introduction: Symptoms of multiple myeloma (MM) and the adverse events (AEs) associated with MM treatment can be debilitating on many levels. A better understanding of the extent to which patients are affected and how this in turn impacts global health-related quality of life (HRQOL) can improve management of patients. Methods: A survey in 11 centers in the United Kingdom and Germany gathered, among other items, data on HRQOL, measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's (EORTC) generic cancer and MM modules (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 scales), from a cross-section of patients with multiple myeloma at various phases of the disease. The QLQ-C30 is comprised of a global QOL domain, 5 functional and 3 symptom domains, and 6 AE items; the QLQ-MY20 includes scales for disease symptoms, treatment side-effects, future perspective and body image. This analysis aimed to explore the association between individual QOL scales (from QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20) and global QOL. Values for each scale range from 0 to 100; higher values indicate better HRQOL for the global, functional, future perspective and body image scales, and worse HRQOL for the AE items, symptom domains, disease symptoms and side-effects scales. Scoring of the QLQ-C30 and MY-20 scales was described previously by Fayers et al. [i] and Cocks et al. [ii] respectively. The distribution and correlations (Spearman) between the various scales was explored. Moreover, a multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to assess the association between individual scales and global QOL (from QLQ-C30) with the aim to identify those that independently impact global QOL. Each scale was first considered alone as a predictor of global QOL; those with a statistically significant association at a p-value ≤ 0.10 were included in a multiple regression model. This was then trimmed to exclude scales that became non-significant (p-value > 0.10). Results: The survey included 154 patients: 63.0% were male and the mean age was 66.4 (SD: 10.0). Mean time since diagnosis was 3.7 years (SD: 3.7), 51.9% were currently on treatment, and 42.9% had at least one prior line of MM therapy. The mean global QOL score was 60.1 (SD: 25.5), with the middle two quartiles of patients scoring between 41.7 and 83.3. Cognitive and emotional functioning scores had means near or above 80, suggesting that these aspects of HRQOL were less affected than role (62.9 (IQR: 33.3–100)), social (63.9(IQR: 33.3–100)) and physical functioning (68.7(IQR:53.3-93.3)). While body image scores were generally high (77.9 (IQR:66.7-100)), future perspective appeared to be relatively more affected (59.9 (33.3-77.8)). Patients’ HRQOL is most affected by pain and fatigue (based on symptom and AE scales of the QLQ-C30), with means above 30, followed by insomnia and dyspnoea with means above 20, while diarrhea and nausea/vomiting scales had the lowest mean scores (below 10). The Disease Symptom (23.3 (IQR:0-38.9)) and Side Effect scale scores (19.5 (IQR:7.4-29.6)) from the QLQ-MY20 were consistent with the AE and symptom scales from the QLQ-C30. All of the domains except diarrhea and nausea/vomiting individually showed at least moderate correlations with global QOL (Spearman correlations above 0.25 in absolute value), but also exhibited strong correlations between themselves. The final multiple regression model retained physical and social functioning, fatigue, disease symptoms (QLQ-MY20) and future perspective scales (QLQ-MY20), all of which had relatively similar strength of association with global QOL. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the impact of MM and treatment AEs can be seen on various dimensions of patients’ HRQOL, particularly reduced physical and social functioning, future perspective and various disease symptoms such as bone pain (as captured by the disease symptoms scale of the QLQ-MY20) and fatigue. Fayers P, Aaronson N, Bjordal K, Groenvold M, Curran D, Bottomley A: The EORTC QLQ-C30 Scoring Manual. 3 Edition EORTC Quality of Life Group, Brussels 2001. [ii]Cocks K, Cohen D, Wisloff F, et al. An international field study of the reliability and validity of a disease-specific questionnaire module (the QLQ-MY20) in assessing the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma. Eur J Cancer 2007;43:1670-1678. Disclosures: Williams: Celgene: Honoraria; Jansen Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria. Off Label Use: Some of the patients in the study received Thalidomide for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Proskorovsky:United BioSource Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Lewis:Celgene International SARL: Employment. Ishak:United BioSource Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Payne:United BioSource Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Lordan:United BioSource Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Davies:Celgene: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Ortho Biotech: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Peters:Celgene: Consultancy.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5967-5967
Author(s):  
Peter C. Trask ◽  
Mark Atkinson ◽  
Bhumi Trivedi ◽  
Andrew Palsgrove ◽  
William Benton Jones ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy of plasma cells. Bone disease is a characteristic symptom of MM, and pain is one of its most distressing features. Anemia is also a common symptom and is manifested as fatigue and tiredness among MM patients. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the EORTC QLQ-C30 pain and fatigue scales in two clinical MM populations (one with newly-diagnosed MM and a second undergoing medical management with re-emergent or advanced myeloma) to more precisely quantify the burden of pain and fatigue in MM. Methods: Studies assessing pain and fatigue in MM were identified through a search of specific terms in the medical-subject headings and keywords in PubMed. Inclusion criteria were English-language studies published between January 1, 1996, and July 1, 2014; diagnosis of MM; and availability of data on pain and/or fatigue as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30. Full-text articles from germane abstracts were retrieved for eligibility assessment, and 27 articles were selected for inclusion in the analysis. Two groups of peer-reviewed articles were created: one consisting of publications that focused on newly-diagnosed MM and the other consisting of articles involving MM patients with advanced conditions, including those who had a disease recurrence or were receiving autologous bone marrow transplantation. The mean values and standard deviations (SDs) were recorded across all publications irrespective of sex, age, and stage of illness. Of the 27 studies, 17 did not report standard error (SE) or SD values associated with EORTC QLQ-C30 pain and fatigue scales. These missing values were estimated using the overall average of SDs for that scale observed across all studies within the publication group (either newly-diagnosed or recurrent/advanced disease). A sensitivity analysis was conducted to compare the pooled mean and SEs associated with results obtained with and without the SD imputation procedure. The means and SDs from the two sets of publications were entered into Comprehensive Meta-analysis™ with both scales (pain or fatigue) and existing or imputed SDs as grouping variables. The summary means and confidence intervals for each scale by clinical group were computed by weighting the individual studies by sample size and were statistically summarized based on a fixed-effect model. Results: The EORTC QLQ-C30 fatigue and pain scales range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating greater symptoms (i.e., more fatigue and pain). The overall mean across the 27 publications was 47.1 for fatigue and 48.2 for pain for MM patients compared to scores of 25.0 and 16.9 for a general population. The results of the sensitivity analysis indicated that estimation of the SDs for those studies missing the statistic did not have a significant effect on the summary mean estimate. In most cases, the inclusion of additional means with estimated SDs reduced the summary SE estimate associated with the summary mean. Overall, the scores for fatigue and pain across research articles involving newly-diagnosed patients (fatigue=48.5 and pain=49.1) were statistically higher (indicating worse pain and fatigue) than among patients who were recurrent or receiving more aggressive treatments (fatigue=39.9 and pain=38.7). Conclusions: The burden of pain and fatigue in MM is substantial and is different between newly-diagnosed and more advanced MM patients. Pain and fatigue can be easily quantified using standardized health-related quality of life instruments. Pivotal clinical trials in MM need to assess the impact of novel treatments on pain and fatigue. Disclosures Trask: Sanofi: Employment. Atkinson:Sanofi: Research Funding. Trivedi:Sanofi: Research Funding. Palsgrove:Sanofi: Research Funding. Jones:Sanofi: Employment. McHorney:Sanofi: Research Funding.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 90-90
Author(s):  
Orazio Caffo ◽  
Teodoro Sava ◽  
Umberto Basso ◽  
Sebastiano Buti ◽  
Giovanni Lo Re ◽  
...  

90 Background: Eight consecutive courses of D are usually considered a standard first line treatment for CRPC pts. The pts quality of life (QL) may be worsened and an I administration could mitigate this effect. We verified if an I therapy may reduce the impact on pts’ QL compared to continuous (C) treatment. Methods: The treatment was D 70 mg/m2IV q 3 wks ± estramustine (E) 280 mg/TID PO for 5 days. Pts were randomized to receive 8 courses D±E continuously (C) or intermittently, with a 3-month rest period after the first 4 courses. QL was evaluated by EORTC QLQ C30 at baseline and every 6 weeks. For the study aim, we considered evaluable for QL pts who received at least 5 D±E courses and filled the QL instruments. Results: 148 CRPC pts were enrolled from 11/06 to 10/10 with 94 pts evaluable for QL (53 and 41 treated with I with C therapy, respectively). No statistically differences were observed between C and I treatments for QL outcomes: the table shows the median value of single EORTC QLQ C30 scales scores at each assessment time-point. Conclusions: The present study failed to demonstrate that I treatment may produce a QL advantage compared to C treatment which remains the reference therapy for first-line of CRPC pts. Clinical trial information: 2006-005728-17. [Table: see text]


2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaneja Velenik ◽  
Ajra Secerov-Ermenc ◽  
Jasna But-Hadzic ◽  
Vesna Zadnik

Abstract Background The aim of our study was to obtain reference data of the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life dimensions for the general Slovenian population. We intend to provide the researchers and clinicians in our country with the expected mean health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores for distinctive socio-demographic population groups. Methods The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire supplemented by a socio-demographic inquiry was mailed or distributed to 1,685 randomly selected individuals in the Slovenian population aged 18 – 90. Answers from 1,231 subjects representing socio-demographic diversity of the Slovenian population were collected and transformed into EORTC dimensions and symptoms. The impact of socio-demographic features on HRQL scores was assessed by multiple linear regression models. Results Gender, age and self-rated social class are the important confounders in the quality of life scores in our population. Men reported better quality of life on the majority of the specific scales and, at the same time, reported fewer symptoms. There was no gender-specific difference in cognitive functioning. The mean scores were consistently lower with age in both sexes. Conclusions This is the first study to report the normative EORTC QLQ-C30 scores for one of the south-eastern European populations. The reported expected mean scores allow Slovenian oncologists to estimate what the quality of life in cancer patients would be, had they not been ill. As they are derived by common methodology, our results can easily be included in any further international comparisons or in the calculation of European summarized HRQL scores.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 2099-2099
Author(s):  
Fabio Efficace ◽  
Gianluca Gaidano ◽  
Massimo Breccia ◽  
Pasquale Niscola ◽  
Francesco Cottone ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Patients myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) diagnosed with higher-risk disease have poor prognosis thus making improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) a major goal of therapy. Understanding HRQOL profile of untreated patients is important to help clinicians to better target subpopulations in need of special attention from the very beginning of therapy. Aims: The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether HRQOL differences exist by age and gender in untreated patients with higher-risk MDS. A secondary objective is to provide age and gender pretreatment HRQOL profiles to be used as reference baseline data for comparing HRQOL of MDS patients under treatments. Methods: This analysis is based on 280 adult patients diagnosed with IPSS risk score of intermediate-2 (74%) and high-risk (26%), enrolled in an international prospective observational study. Median age of patients was 71 years (range 32-89), 176 were men (63%) and 104 (37%) women. HRQOL was assessed at study entry and before treatment for higher-risk disease (except for transfusions), with the EORTC QLQ-C30, the most widely used HRQOL outcome measure in MDS research. Thus, our data are likely to further ease interpretation of outcomes in many studies using this questionnaire. One hundred seventy-five patients had received at least one red blood cell transfusion at the time of baseline HRQOL assessment. HRQoL data of MDS patients were age-gender matched with those general population norms. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were used for unmatched and matched comparisons, respectively (α=0.05). Effect sizes were also computed. Results: No statistically significant differences existed in any of the HRQOL domain by IPSS category (intermediate-2 versus high-risk). However, HRQOL profiles differed by age and gender and results are reported in Table 1. Women generally reported lower HRQOL scores than men, with statistically significant impairments in the global quality of life (P=0.008), role (P=0.014), emotional (P=0.024) and social functioning (P=0.028). When compared to their peers in the general population, HRQOL was found to be impaired in all age group categories (Figure 1, A and B). However, the magnitude of impairments across HRQOL domains was markedly larger in younger patients (aged 30-59 years) compared to older age groups (≥60 years). The top three largest impairments in this younger group were found for: fatigue (ES=2.47, P<0.001), dyspnea (ES=2.14, P<0.001) and role functioning RP (ES=1.96, P<0.001). This latter aspect indicates the ability to perform daily activities. Conclusion: Pretreatment HROQL of higher-risk MDS patients vary by age and gender and current reference data will help making more accurate comparisons with HRQOL of patients under treatment. Clinicians should also pay special attention to younger patients, as these are those most in need of HRQOL improvements. Figure 1. Adjusted mean differences between MDS patients and their respective control groups by age categories (30-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and over 80) in functional aspects and global quality of life. A score below 0 line means worse outcomes for MDS patients. *= Statistically significant (P<0.05) **= Statistically significant (P<0.001) Figure 1. Adjusted mean differences between MDS patients and their respective control groups by age categories (30-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and over 80) in functional aspects and global quality of life. A score below 0 line means worse outcomes for MDS patients. / *= Statistically significant (P<0.05) **= Statistically significant (P<0.001) Figure 2. Adjusted mean differences between MDS patients and their respective control groups by age categories (30-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and over 80) in symptom scales. A score above 0 line means worse outcomes for MDS patients. *=Statistically significant (P<0.05) **=Statistically significant (P<0.001) Figure 2. Adjusted mean differences between MDS patients and their respective control groups by age categories (30-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and over 80) in symptom scales. A score above 0 line means worse outcomes for MDS patients. / *=Statistically significant (P<0.05) **=Statistically significant (P<0.001) Figure 3. Quality of life profile by the EORTC QLQ-C30 in higher risk-MDS patients by gender and age groups. Means scores of the EORTC QLQ-C30 are reported. Figure 3. Quality of life profile by the EORTC QLQ-C30 in higher risk-MDS patients by gender and age groups. Means scores of the EORTC QLQ-C30 are reported. Disclosures Gaidano: MorphoSys; Roche; Novartis; GlaxoSmithKline; Amgen; Janssen; Karyopharm: Honoraria, Other: Advisory boards; Celgene: Research Funding. Santini:celgene, Janssen, Novartis, Onconova: Honoraria, Research Funding. Platzbecker:Celgene: Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen, Inc.: Honoraria. Di Renzo:Celgene: Research Funding.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Sophit Korpunsilp ◽  
Tipaporn Pongmesa

Objective: To assess quality of life (QoL) of female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC) regimen.Material and Method: This prospective analytical study was performed among 40 Thai female patients receiving the FAC regimen at Pranangklao Hospital, Nonthaburi province. Their QoL was assessed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23).Results: Most patients were aged 50 years or over (77.5%) and had been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer (47.5%). According to the EORTC QLQ-C30, the patients’ QoL significantly decreased compared to the baseline after cycle 3 for global health status (p-value=0.002) and QoL (p-value=0.001), as well as physical functioning (p-value=0.015) and role functioning (p-value=0.001), while symptoms of fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and appetite loss increased (p-value<0.001). After cycle 5, the patients’ QoL was still significantly lower than at baseline, for physical functioning (p-value=0.009) and symptoms of fatigue, nausea/vomiting, appetite loss (p-value<0.001) and dyspnea (p-value=0.005). The EORTC QLQ-BR23 reported significantly worse systemic therapy side effects for both cycles 3 and 5 (p-value<0.001), and distress due to hair loss also appeared after cycle 5 (p-value=0.016). No significant differences were revealed on any scales between cycles 3 and 5.Conclusion: The patients’ QoL significantly decreased after chemotherapy with the FAC regimen, with some side effects from treatment and reduction in some functioning.


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