469. LONG-TERM QUALITY OF LIFE FOLLOWING ESOPHAGECTOMY FOR CANCER: RESULTS FROM A PILOT STUDY UTILIZING NOVEL TECHNOLOGY FOR PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES

Abstract

Abstract Background The physiological impact of an esophagectomy has long-term ramifications upon patient’s health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and psychosocial functioning. Capturing long-term QoL can identify patients who may benefit from rehabilitative interventions to mitigate the lasting symptoms following esophagectomy. We sought to develop and pilot a remote method of digitally capturing QoL up to 10 years following esophagectomy. The aim of this study is to determine post-esophagectomy QoL ≥ 5 years, as part of this pilot. Methods A novel software to remotely capture QoL was piloted in November 2022, utilising electronic forms on digital devices including tablets to record data. Patients were contacted by a dedicated data manager to complete HR-QOL questionnaires (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires C30 and OG25 modules). This was completed either at the time of routine outpatient visits or remotely by patients, assessing HR-QOL up to 10 years post-esophagectomy. Linear mixed models were constructed to assess the mean score difference among patients at 5 years and beyond, post-esophagectomy. Results Of 220 eligible patients completing the HR-QOL questionnaires, 8 patients (10.9%) were 5 years on following an esophagectomy. Physical and emotional functioning remained adversely impacted at 5 years post-esophagectomy with lower overall scores across these domains. Symptoms including pain, heartburn and bilious reflux persisted at 5 years post-esophagectomy. Patients engaged with the novel software utilised to capture HR-QOL with 100% of those approached completing questionnaires. Discussion Functioning and symptoms adversely affecting HR-QOL persist into survivorship following esophagectomy. Given the clinically relevant deterioration in the longer term, there is a need to develop post-treatment rehabilitation interventions that can be embedded as part of peri-operative patient optimisation and recovery.