ED-14 * QUALITY OF LIFE IN ADULTS WITH GLIOMAS: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

AIM: Patients with malignant gliomas are subject to multiple medical problems that can significantly impact their overall survival and quality of life, including cognitive and psychiatric disorders, seizures, headaches, and side effects of chemotherapy. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach and knowledge of potential complications of both the disease and its treatment. METHODS: Literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting original data on baseline quality of life. Two electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2014. 38 full-text articles were selected for critical reading. The authors performed a systematic literature review that included 1660 patients. RESULTS: The most commonly reported complication among patients with glioma is cognitive changes. Of the 1660 patients in this review, 348 (21%) were found to have changes in cognition. These changes are believed to be due to either the tumor itself, neurosurgical intervention, postoperative medications or psychological effects. Motor deficits, fatigue, headache and depression are also among the top 5 commonly reported complications. 192 (12%) patients reported motor deficits, 158 (10%) patients reported fatigue, 190 (11.4%) patients suffered from headaches, and 136 (8%) patients suffered from depression during the course of their illness. It was also shown that among glioma patients, those with depression were significantly more likely to experience complications and had significantly shorter survival times when compared to non-depressed glioma patients. Other reported complications include language and communication deficits in 119 (7%) patients, emotional distress in 83 (5%) patients, seizures in 80 (4.7%) patients, pain in 71 (4%) patients, adverse drug and chemotherapy reactions in 76 (5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: High grade gliomas are extremely aggressive tumors that require intensive treatment. The findings of this review highlight the many contributory factors that significantly reduce the overall quality of life in patients with high-grade glioma.