Quality of Life in Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients: determinants of global QL and survival analyses

Quality of Life in Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients: determinants of global QL and survival analyses

SpringerPlus, June 2016

27386285

Juan Ignacio Arraras, Berta Hernandez, Maite Martinez, Koldo Cambra, Mikel Rico, Jose Juan Illarramendi, Antonio Viudez, Berta Ibañez, Uxue Zarandona, Enrique Martinez, Ruth Vera

This paper studies the Quality of Life (QL) of Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving platinum-doublet chemotherapy, compares our results with those from studies from other cultural areas, and identifies factors associated with global QL and survival prognostic variables. EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 questionnaires were completed three times by 39 patients along treatment and follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to study global QL determinants (≤50 points considered low global-QL score). Analyses of prognostic variables for death were performed (Cox proportional hazards models). QL mean scores in the whole sample were moderately high, with limitations (>30) in physical, role, social functioning, emotional areas, fatigue, pain, neuropathy and global QL. Differences with studies from other cultural areas were mainly found in the lower score for dyspnoea (≥15 points). There were no significant differences in QL scores between the first and second assessments. In six areas, the third assessment was lower than the first and second: fatigue, hair loss (>20 points); physical, social functioning, neuropathy (10-20 points); emotional functioning (5-10 points). The best model to explain the chances of low QL includes, as explanatory variables, high emotional functioning as protective factor and fatigue as risk factor (R(2) = 0.70). Eight QL areas (four pain-related) and performance status showed a statistically significant association with survival. Patients adapted well to their disease and treatments. Platinum-doublet can be administered in advanced NSCLC patients. Our QL data are in line with those from other cultural areas.