scholarly journals EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire With Added Subjective Weighting for Improving Tailored Treatment and Therapy Monitoring in Oncology

Author(s):  
Greta Rose ◽  
Dirk Rades ◽  
Jurgen Dunst ◽  
Nikolas von Bubnoff ◽  
Andreas Luebbe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It is good medical practice to use validated questionnaires to compare different treatment options in oncological therapy studies. Over the course of the past few years, it has been suggested that patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) could also be of value in monitoring individual treatment schemes, especially in the palliative care setting, where quality of life (QoL) is of primary importance. Although the EORTC-QLQ-C30 comprises a set of personal questions, patients are not asked about the subjectively assessed functional impairment associated with the symptom in their individual life situation. Methods We examined whether the results of the EORTC QLQ C-30, one of the most frequently used QoL questionnaires, would be different if the subjective interpretation of symptoms assessed on a function scale, such as physical functioning, are added to the scores. For each of the five functional scales of the EORTC-QLQ C30 the patients were asked to provide a subjective weighting, e.g. "How would you currently rate your physical functioning on a scale from 1 to 5?". A total of 95 answers from 13 patients were evaluated in part at several time points of their therapy. All patients included in this study had various cancers and were receiving only symptomatic but not curative radiation therapy (cerebral or bone). Results By adding the weighting question 86% of answers changed, with 39% of the answers being more positive and 47 % more negative when comparing EORTC QLQ-C30 results and subjective rating. Conclusion The above results show that the addition of the question of functional impairment resulting from a symptom might enable the use of standard questionnaires like the EORTC QLQ-C30 as an instrument for individual therapy management. Further investigation into how the standard questionnaire needs to be adapted is clearly needed und justified.

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
N. Trizna ◽  
Z. Kaliadich ◽  
E. Zhaleika ◽  
A. Evmenenko

Study of the quality of life indicators is an important part of a comprehensive analysis of new diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods. It can serve as an additional criterion for selecting individual therapy or rehabilitation, examining the ability to work, and identifying psychological problems. Purpose of the study: The authors took a clinical case to demonstrate the use of внтфьшс monitoring of the quality of life indicators for the assessment of surgical and reconstructive treatment outcome for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Results: The anticancer treatment effects were reflected in the physical functioning score according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (reduced to 80 points) and some symptomatic scores according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H & N35 questionnaires. Medical rehabilitation measures resulted in positive dynamics of physical functioning scores according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (increase to 93.3 points) and symptomatic scores according to the EORTC QLQ-H & N35 questionnaire related to nutrition. At that, the patient has stopped having difficulty eating in public places; his body weight increased. The absence of pain and refusal to take analgesics also testified to successful treatment and improved quality of life. Conclusion: A subjective assessment of the various quality of life aspects in a particular patient provides valuable information about the individual response to the conducted treatment.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Natalia Trizna ◽  
Zhanna Kaliadich ◽  
Alena Zhaleiko ◽  
Alesya Evmenenko

Relevance: The study of the patients’ quality of life is an important part of a comprehensive analysis of new diagnostic, treatment, and prevention methods. It can serve as an additional criterion for selecting individual therapy or rehabilitation, examining the ability to work, and identifying psychological problems. Purpose: To show the potential of evaluating the outcome of surgical treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancer with plastic replacement of the post-resection defect by the study of dynamics of patient’s quality of life (on a clinical case) Results: The anticancer treatment effects were reflected in the physical functioning score according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (reduced to 80 points) and some symptomatic scores according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H & N35 questionnaires. Medical rehabilitation measures improved physical functioning scores according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (increase to 93.3 points) and symptomatic scores according to the EORTC QLQ-H & N35 questionnaire related to nutrition. At that, the patient has stopped having difficulty eating in public places; his body weight increased. The absence of pain and refusal to take analgesics also testified to successful treatment and improved quality of life. Conclusion: A subjective assessment of the various quality of life aspects in a particular patient provides valuable information about the individual response to the conducted treatment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0272989X2110035
Author(s):  
Dennis A. Revicki ◽  
Madeleine T. King ◽  
Rosalie Viney ◽  
A. Simon Pickard ◽  
Rebecca Mercieca-Bebber ◽  
...  

Background The EORTC QLU-C10D is a multiattribute utility measure derived from the cancer-specific quality-of-life questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-C30. The QLU-C10D contains 10 dimensions (physical, role, social and emotional functioning, pain, fatigue, sleep, appetite, nausea, bowel problems). The objective of this study was to develop a United States value set for the QLU-C10D. Methods A US online panel was quota recruited to achieve a representative sample for sex, age (≥18 y), race, and ethnicity. Respondents undertook a discrete choice experiment, each completing 16 choice-pairs, randomly assigned from a total of 960 choice-pairs. Each pair included 2 QLU-C10D health states and duration. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression, parameterized to fit the quality-adjusted life-year framework. Utility weights were calculated as the ratio of each dimension-level coefficient to the coefficient for life expectancy. Results A total of 2480 panel members opted in, 2333 (94%) completed at least 1 choice-pair, and 2273 (92%) completed all choice-pairs. Within dimensions, weights were generally monotonic. Physical functioning, role functioning, and pain were associated with the largest utility weights. Cancer-specific dimensions, such as nausea and bowel problems, were associated with moderate utility decrements, as were general issues such as problems with emotional functioning and social functioning. Sleep problems and fatigue were associated with smaller utility decrements. The value of the worst health state was 0.032, which was slightly greater than 0 (equivalent to being dead). Conclusions This study provides the US-specific value set for the QLU-C10D. These estimated health state scores, based on responses to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, can be used to evaluate the cost-utility of oncology treatments.


2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
JÖRG DIRMAIER ◽  
SILKE ZAUN ◽  
UWE KOCH ◽  
TIMO HARFST ◽  
HOLGER SCHULZ

Objective: Recent years have shown an increase in the use of questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life to verify the quality of treatment in the field of oncology. An often used cancer-specific questionnaire is the “Quality of Life Core Questionnaire of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer” (EORTC QLQ-C30). The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 1) in order to determine the feasibility and appropriateness for its use in inpatient cancer rehabilitation in Germany with heterogeneous diagnoses.Methods: The questionnaire was administrated to a sample of 972 cancer patients at the beginning of treatment and to 892 patients after treatment. Besides descriptive analysis, the statistical analyses include confirmatory analysis and the multitrait/multimethod approach to test the questionnaire's postulated scale structure (factorial validity) and its reliability (internal consistencies). The analysis also includes a comparison of responsiveness indices (effect size, reliable change index) to test the sensitivity of the instrument.Results: The EORTC QLQ-C30 showed satisfactory levels of reliability and sensitivity, but the postulated scale structure could not be confirmed. The results illustrate that the varimax-rotated solution of a principal component analysis does not confirm the scale structure postulated by the authors. Correspondingly, the selected fit indices within the scope of the confirmatory factor analysis do not show satisfactory results either.Significance of results: We therefore consider version 1 of the EORTC QLQ-C30 to be only limitedly useful for the routine assessment of changes in the quality of life of cancer patients in inpatient rehabilitation in Germany, especially because of the instrument's length and possible redundancies. For this reason, a scoring procedure limited to a subset of items is suggested, revealing satisfactory to good psychometric indices. However, further psychometric tests are necessary, especially with regard to validity and sensitivity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Augusto Claudio Pereira ◽  
Nayara De Paula Passarin ◽  
Jordana Henriques Coimbra ◽  
Gabriela Grasso Pacheco ◽  
Marcel Pereira Rangel

Introdução: A qualidade de vida de pacientes oncológicos tem sido objeto de estudo em muitos trabalhos brasileiros. Contudo, apesar da alta prevalência de indivíduos submetidos a radioterapia, poucos estudos com ênfase nesse grupo de pacientes foram identificados. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida e a prevalência de sintomas depressivos em pacientes com neoplasias malignas durante o tratamento radioterápico. Método: Estudo transversal quantitativo realizado com 153 pacientes oncológicos em vigência de tratamento radioterápico em um centro especializado em oncologia e radioterapia, localizado no Noroeste do Estado do Parana. Os dados foram coletados entre marco e setembro de 2018. O European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) e o Inventario de Depressão de Beck foram utilizados para avaliar a qualidade de vida e os sintomas depressivos, respectivamente. Resultados: Os domínios “qualidade de vida”, “função cognitiva” e “função social” foram os que menos se mostraram prejudicados na amostra estudada, enquanto “insônia”, “perda de apetite” e “dificuldades financeiras” destacaram-se entre os maiores preditores de baixa qualidade de vida. Ademais, contatou-se que 22% dos indivíduos avaliados apresentaram algum grau de transtorno de humor, sendo 11% diagnosticados com depressão. Conclusão: O declínio na qualidade de vida e a prevalência de sintomas depressivos em pacientes oncológicos, mesmo os em vigência de radioterapia, enaltecem a importância de intervenções precoces que visem a restabelecer a funcionalidade e o bem-estar.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Binotto ◽  
Gilberto Schwartsmann

Introdução: O câncer de mama pode alterar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde das pacientes. Objetivo: Compreender o impacto da quimioterapia para câncer de mama na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de pacientes. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, compreendendo artigos publicados entre 2007 e 2019, disponíveis nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS e SciELO. Analisaram-se 25 artigos na íntegra. Resultados: Os questionários mais frequentemente utilizados nos estudos foram o European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) e o módulo complementar European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Breast Cancer-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23). Em relação às alterações da qualidade de vida, a saúde global diminui durante a quimioterapia, mas pode melhorar após o término do tratamento. O aumento dos sintomas é relatado em diversos estudos e prejudicou a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde das pacientes. Entretanto, os sintomas diminuem após o término da quimioterapia, exceto para algumas escalas. As escalas de imagem corporal, função sexual e funcionamento físico pioram ao longo do tratamento. A qualidade de vida mental/psicológica tem oscilações durante o tratamento, assim como a escala sobre as relações sociais. Conclusão: A qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de mulheres com câncer de mama é afetada negativamente pelo tratamento quimioterápico, expressando maior impacto nas escalas de sintomas.


1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1249-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Hjermstad ◽  
S D Fossa ◽  
K Bjordal ◽  
S Kaasa

PURPOSE The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is a well-validated instrument that assesses health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer patients. It is used in cancer clinical trials in Europe, Canada, and the United States, and has demonstrated high reliability and validity in different groups of cancer patients. Despite thorough testing of reliability and validity, we have not identified any reports on its test/retest reliability; thus, a test/retest study was performed at the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH). MATERIALS AND METHODS Cancer patients from the outpatient clinic who were off treatment for > or = 3 months were eligible for the study. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was given to the patients when they presented for their visit. The second questionnaire was received by the patients 4 days later. Of 291 eligible patients, 270 (93%) agreed to participate and 190 (73%) completed both questionnaires. RESULTS The test/retest reliability measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient was high for all functional scales, with a range from .82 for cognitive and role function to .91 for physical function. The r value for global HRQOL was .85. For the symptom scales--nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and pain--the coefficients were .63, .83, and .86, respectively. The single-item coefficients ranged from .72 for diarrhea to .84 for financial impact. The Spearman rank correlation was in the same range for all dimensions. CONCLUSION The EORTC QLQ-C30 seems to yield high test/retest reliability in patients with various cancer diagnoses whose condition is not expected to change during the time of measurement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 5469-5478
Author(s):  
Yemataw Wondie ◽  
Andreas Hinz

Abstract Purpose Cancer is of increasing prevalence in less-developed countries. However, research on the patients’ quality of life (QoL) in these countries is very limited. The aim of this study was to examine QoL of cancer patients in Africa. Method A sample of 256 cancer patients treated in an Ethiopian hospital was examined with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A group of 1664 German cancer patients served as a comparison group. Results Most of the scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 showed acceptable reliability in the Ethiopian sample. Compared with the German cancer patients, the Ethiopian patients showed lower QoL in most dimensions, especially in financial difficulties, physical functioning, pain, and appetite loss (effect sizes between 0.52 and 0.75). Illiteracy, tumor stage, and treatment (surgery and chemotherapy) were associated with QoL in the Ethiopian sample. QoL was strongly correlated with fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a suitable instrument for measuring QoL in Ethiopia. The detriments in QoL in the Ethiopian patients indicate specific cancer care needs for the patients in a developing country.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document