Evaluation of health-related quality of life and its main influencing factors in a Polish population of patients with bone metastases

Abstract

PurposeRegardless of cancer type, the skeleton is one of the most common sites for cancer spread. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) can be considered a primary endpoint in clinical trials concerning cancer patients with palliative disease. The proper measurement of this endpoint requires valid and reliable instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRQoL and its main influencing factors using validated EORTC tools - the QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-BM22 in Polish population of patients with skeletal metastases. MethodsPatients with bone metastases and histologically confirmed malignancy were qualified for the study. They filled out a personal questionnaire, the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and its supplementary module QLQ-BM22. The influence of numerous socio-clinical factors such as age, gender, working status, level of education, performance status, primary location, and previous treatment received was assessed. ResultsOne hundred and ten patients (65 women) were enrolled into this study (mean age ±SD; 57.8±13.8).The most significant HRQoL issues were fatigue (59.29/100); pain (56.97/100) and insomnia (56.36/100). Men coped worse with pain (p=0.013), fatigue (p=0.050), nausea and vomiting (p=0.024) and financial difficulties (p=0.016) than women. ConclusionsThe main factors influencing HRQoL in Polish patients with bone metastases are fatigue, pain and insomnia, and as such should be a primary focus of patient-centered care in this group.